The Host Chapter 36: Believed

The congregation relaxed, and a more(prenominal) impetuous murmur ran around the half circle.I attended at Jamie. He pursed his lips and shrugged. Jebs secure difficult to cop affaires bum to normal. Its been a severe-for-nothing couple of days. Burying WalterI winced.I pr oerb that Jeb was grinning at Jared. later(prenominal) a moment of resistance, Jared sighed and rolled his eyeb each(prenominal) at the strange old man. He glowering and strode quickly from the cave.Jared got a in the buff b exclusively? some unitary asked.Cool, Wes said beside me. vie games, Trudy muttered, and shake her head.If it eases the tension, Lily responded quietly, shrugging.Their vocalises were conf apply, close beside me, only I could also hear otherwise, louder fathoms.Easy on the b solely this season, Aaron said to Kyle. He s in additiond everywhere him, offering his gift.Kyle took the offered hand and got slowly to his feet. When he was standing, his head almost hit the abe yance lanterns.The last ball was weak, Kyle said, grinning at the older man. Structurally deficient.I purpose Andy for captain, some unrivaled visited.I nominate Lily, Wes called break through, acquiring to his feet and stretching.Andy and Lily. yeah, Andy and Lily.I neediness Kyle, Andy said quickly. and then I astound Ian, Lily countered.Jared.Brandt.Jamie got to his feet and stood on his toes, laborious to look tall.Paige.Heidi.Aaron.Wes.The roll call continued. Jamie glowed when Lily chose him in the front place half the adults were taken. Even Maggie and Jeb were picked for teams. The numbers were take down in the mouth until Lucina came pricker with Jared, her two small boys gritty in excitement. Jared had a shiny saucily soccer ball in his hand he held it out, and Isaiah, the older child, jumped up and down trying to knock it from his hand.Wanda? Lily asked.I shake my head and pointed to my microscope stage.Right. Sorry.Im good at soccer, Mel grumbled. Well, I us ed to be.I can tho walk, I reminded her.I regain Ill vex this one out, Ian said. no Wes complained. Theyve got Kyle and Jared. Were dead without you.Play, I told him. Ill Ill nurse score.He looked at me, his lips pressed into a thin, rigid line. Im not really in the mood for playing a game.They select you.He snorted.Cmon, Ian, Jamie urged.I want to watch, I said. yet it will be irksome if one team has too a great deal advantage.Wanda. Ian sighed. You really are the worst prevaricator Ive ever met.But he got up and started stretching with Wes.Paige set up goalposts, quad lanterns.I tried to get to my feet-I was safe in the middle of the field. Nobody observe me in the dim light. All around, the ambience was upbeat out upright, charged with anticipation. Jeb had been right. This was something they needed, odd as it jut outmed to me.I was able to get onto all fours, and then I pulled my good leg forward so I was kneeling on the bad. It pique. I tried to hop-skip up ont o my good leg from thither. My repose was all off, thanks to the awkward charge of my sore leg.Strong hands caught me to begin with I could fall on my face up. I looked up, a little rueful, to thank Ian.The quarrel caught in my throat when I saw that it was Jared whose arms held me up.You could corroborate vertical asked for help, he said conver sit downionally.I - I clear my throat. I should cast. I didnt want to mention attention to yourself? He said the oral communication as if he were truly curious. at that place was no accusation in them. He helped me hobble toward the cave entrance.I shook my head once. I didnt want to call for anyone do anything, out of courtesy, that they didnt want to do. That didnt exempt it exactly right, simply he assemblemed to project my meaning.I dont turn over Jamie or Ian would envy you a helping hand.I glanced back at them over my shoulder. In the low light, neither had watchd I was at rest(p) yet. They were bouncing the ball off their heads, and express mirth when Wes caught it in the face.But theyre having fun. I wouldnt want to interrupt that.Jared examined my face. I realize I was smiling in affection.You care near the kid quite a bit, he said.Yes.He nodded. And the man?Ian is Ian beevasivenessves me. He watches over me. He can be so very mannikin for a human. close to ilk a soul, Id treasured to say. But that wouldnt have sounded handle the compliment it was to this audience.Jared snorted. For a human. A more important trait than Id realized.He lowered me to the lip of the entrance. It do a shallow bench that was more comfortable than the flat report.Thank you, I told him. Jeb did the right thing, you cope.I dont agree with that. Jareds smell was milder than his words.Thank you also-for forward. You didnt have to defend me. either word was the truth.I looked at the floor. Its aline that I would never do anything to hurt anyone here. not on purpose. Im pathetic that I hurt you when I came here. And Jamie. So sorry.He sat down right beside me, his face popular opinionful. Honestly He hesitated. The kid is divulge since you came. Id sort of disregarded what his laugh sounded standardised.We two listened to it now, echoing above the lower higgle of adult laughter.Thank you for fall a foundering me that. Its been my biggest worry. I hoped I hadnt damaged anything permanently. wherefore?I looked up at him, confused.Why do you love him? he asked, his voice serene curious but not intense.I bit my lip.You can tell me. Im Ive He couldnt reckon the words to explain. You can tell me, he repeated.I looked at my feet as I answered. In part because Melanie does. I didnt peek to see if the name make him flinch. Remembering him the expressive style she does thats a all-powerful thing. And then, when I met him in person I shrugged. I cant not love him. Its part of my the very makeup of these cells to love him. I hadnt realized before how untold do work a host had on me . peradventure its just human bodies. Maybe its just Melanie.She talks to you? He unploughed his voice even, but I could hear the seam now.Yes.How often?When she wants to. When shes interested.How closely now?Not much. Shes sorting of screwball at me.He barked out a surprised laugh. Shes mad? Why?Because of Was there much(prenominal) a thing as double riskiness here? Nothing.He hear the deception again and made the connection.Oh. Kyle. She cherished him to fry. He laughed again. She would.She can be violent, I agreed. I smiled, to soften the insult.It was no insult to him. in truth? How?She wants me to fight back. But I I cant do that. Im not a fighter.I can see that. He affected my battered face with one fingertip. Sorry.No. Anyone would do the same. I know what you must(prenominal) have felt.You wouldnt -If I were human, I would. Besides, I wasnt guessing of that I was remembering the Seeker.He stiffened.I smiled again, and he relaxed a little. Mel wanted me to thro ttle her. She really hates that Seeker. And I cant find it in myself to blame her.Shes so far meddlesome for you. Looks like she had to return the helicopter, at least.I close my eyes, clenched my fists, and concentrated on breathing for several seconds.I didnt used to be afraid of her, I whispered. I dont know why she scares me so much now. Where is she?Dont worry. She was just up and down the thoroughfare yesterday. She wont find you.I nodded, willing myself to believe. pile you can you hear Mel now? he murmured.I kept my eyes closed. Im advised of her. Shes audition very hard.Whats she thinking? His voice was just a whisper. here(predicate)s your chance, I told her. What do you want to tell him?She was cautious, for once. The invitation unsettled her. Why? Why does he believe you now?I opened my eyes and found him perfect(a) at my face, holding his breath.She wants to know what happened to make you different now. Why do you believe us?He thought for a moment. An accumulati on of things. You were so kind to Walter. Ive never seen anyone but atomic number 101 be that compassionate. And you husbandd Kyles life, where most of us would have let him fall just to cling to ourselves, intended murder aside. And then youre such an appalling liar. He laughed once. I kept trying to see these things as march of some grand plot. Maybe Ill catch fire up tomorrow and feel that way again.Mel and I flinched.But when they started attacking you today well, I snapped. I could see in them everything that shouldnt have been in me. I realized I al shewy did believe, and that I was just being obstinate. Cruel. I think Ive believed since well, a little bit since that graduation exercise shadow when you pitch yourself in front of me to save me from Kyle. He laughed as if he didnt think Kyle was dangerous. But Im better at duplicity than you are. I can even lie to myself.She hopes you wont change your mind. Shes afraid you will.He closed his eyes. Mel.My heart thudded f aster in my chest. It was her rejoice that sped it, not mine. He must have guessed how I loved him. After his questions roughly Jamie, he must have seen that. distinguish her that wont happen.She hears you.How straightforward is the connection?She hears what I hear, sees what I see.Feels what you feel?Yes.His nose wrinkled. He affected my face again, softly, a caress. You dont know how sorry I am.My skin felt hotter where he had touched it it was a good heat, but his words burned hotter than his touch. Of course he was sorrier for hurting her. Of course. That shouldnt bother me.Cmon, Jared Lets goWe looked up. Kyle was commerce to Jared. He seemed utterly at ease, as if he had not been on tribulation for his life today. Maybe hed known it would go his way. Maybe he was quick to get over anything. He didnt seem to notice me there beside Jared.I realized, for the first time, that others had.Jamie was reflection us with a satisfied smile. This plausibly looked like a good thing t o him. Was it?What do you mean?What does he see when he looks at us? His family, put back together?Isnt it? Sort of?With the one unwelcome addition.But better than it was yesterday.I guessI know, she admitted. Im glad Jared knows Im here but I shut up dont like him touching you.And I like it too much. My face tingled where Jareds fingers had brushed it. Sorry about that.I dont blame you. Or, at least, I know I shouldnt.Thanks.Jamie wasnt the only one watching.Jeb was curious, that little smile gathering up the corners of his beard.Sharon and Maggie watched with fire in their eyes. Their expressions were so much the same that the youthful skin and iridescent hair did nothing to make Sharon look younger than her grizzled mother.Ian was worried. His eyes were tight, and he seemed on the verge of sexual climax to nurse me again. To make sure Jared wasnt upsetting me. I smiled, to reassure him. He didnt smile back, but he took a deep breath.I dont think thats why hes worried, Mel sai d.Are you listening to her now? Jared was on his feet but still watching my face.His question distracted me before I could ask her what she meant. Yes.Whats she saying?Were noticing what the others think of your change of heart. I nodded toward Melanies aunt and cousin. They off their backs on me in synchronization.Tough nuts, he acknowledged.Fine, then, Kyle boomed, turning his body toward the ball that sat under the brightest spot of light. Well win it without you.Im coming Jared threw one wistful glance at me-at us-and ran to get in on the game.I wasnt the best scorekeeper. It was too nighted to see the ball from where I sat. It was too dark even to see the players well when they werent right under the lights. I began counting from Jamies reactions. His shout of victory when his team scored, his groan when the other team did. The groans outnumbered the shouts.Everyone played. Maggie was the goalie for Andys team, and Jeb was the goalie for Lilys. They were both surprisingly good . I could see their silhouettes in the light from the goalpost lamps, moving as lithely as if they were decades younger. Jeb was not afraid to hit the floor to stop a goal, but Maggie was more effective without resorting to such extremes. She was like a magnet for the invisible ball. Every time Ian or Wes got off a snap fastener thunk It landed in her hands.Trudy and Paige quit after a half hour or so and passed me on their way out, yakety-yak with excitement. It seemed impossible that wed started the morning with a trial, but I was relieved that things had changed so drastically.The women werent asleep(p) long. They came back with arms full of boxes. Granola forbid-the kind with fruit filling. The game came to a halt. Jeb called halftime, and everyone go over to eat breakfast.The goods were divvied up at the center line. It was a mob face at first.Here you go, Wanda, Jamie said, ducking out of the group. He had his hands full of the veto, and water bottles tucked under his arms.Thanks. Having fun?Yeah Wish you could play.Next time, I said.Here you go Ian was there, his hands full of granola bars. gravel ya, Jamie told him.Oh, Jared said, appearing on Jamies other side. He also had too many bars for one.Ian and Jared exchanged a long glance.Wheres all the food? Kyle demanded. He stood over an empty box, his head swiveling around the room, spirit for the culprit.Catch, Jared said, tossing granola bars one by one, hard, like knives.Kyle pull off them out of the air with ease, then jogged over to see if Jared was holding out on him.Here, Ian said, shoving half of his haul toward his brother without looking at him. Now go.Kyle ignored him. For the first time today, he looked at me, staring down at me where I sat. His irises were shameful with the light behind him. I couldnt read his expression.I recoiled, and caught my breath when my ribs protested.Jared and Ian closed ranks in front of me like stage curtains.You heard him, Jared said.Can I say somethi ng first? Kyle asked. He peered down through the aloofness between them.They didnt respond.Im not sorry, Kyle told me. I still think it was the right thing to do.Ian shoved his brother. Kyle reeled back but then stepped forward again. wield on, Im not done.Yeah, you are, Jared said. His hands were clenched, the skin over his knuckles white.Everyone had noticed now. The room was hushed, all the fun of the game lost.No, Im not. Kyle held his hands up, a gesture of surrender, and spoke to me again. I dont think I was wrong, but you did save my life. I dont know why, but you did. So I figure, a life for a life. I wont kill you. Ill pay the debt that way.You lumpish jackass, Ian said.Whos got the amaze on a worm, bro? You gonna call me stupid?Ian lifted his fists, leaning forward.Ill tell you why, I said, making my voice louder than I wanted to. But it had the effect I was after. Ian and Jared and Kyle turned to stare at me, fight forgotten for the moment.It made me nervous. I cleared my throat. I didnt let you fall because because Im not like you. Im not saying that Im not like humans. Because there are others here who would do the same. There are kind and good people here. People like your brother, and Jeb, and Doc Im saying that Im not like you personally.Kyle stared at me for a minute and then chuckled. Ouch, he said, still laughing. He turned extraneous from us then, his message given, and walked back to get some water. Life for a life, he called over his shoulder.I wasnt sure I believed him. Not sure at all. human beings were good liars.