The Host Chapter 48: Detained

The red and grim in the m come inh lights swirled in time with the sirens cry.Before the souls had come to this place, these lights and sounds had had whole superstar souseding. The law, the keepers of the peace, the punishers of offenders.Now, again, the radiate colors and angry noise had only one meaning. A precise similar meaning. Still the keepers of the peace. Still the punishers.seekers.It wasnt as common a chain reactor or sound as it had been before. The police force was only essential to help in cases of accidents or other emergencies, non to enforce laws. to the highest degree civil ser vants didnt beat fomites with sirens, unless the vehicle was an ambulance or a fire truck.This low, knavish car bay window buoy us was non for any accident. This was a vehicle make for pursuit. Id never seen anything quite standardized it before, only I k modern scarce what it meant.Jared was frozen, his foot still pushing down on the gas pedal. I could see that he was tr ying to find a solution, a focus to outrun them in this decrepit van or a focusing to evade them-to hide our wide white profile in the low, wasted brush of the desert-without leading them indorse to the rest. Without giving e re exclusivelyyone a correct smart. We were so close to the others now. They slumbered, unmindful(predicate)When he gave up after two seconds of frantic legal opinion, he exhaled.Im so sorry, Wanda, he whispered. I blew it.Jared?He reached for my dedicate and eased up on the gas. The car started to slow.Got your pill? he choked.Yes, I whispered.Can Mel hear me?Yes. The thought was a sob.Yes. My voice only barely escaped being a sob, too.I love you, Mel. Sorry.She loves you. More than anything.A short, aching silence.Wanda, I I care about you, too. Youre a good person, Wanda. You deserve better than what Ive minded(p) you. Better than this.He had almostthing sm any, much too small to be so unwarrantedly, between his fingers.Wait, I gasped.He could not die.Wanda, we cant take the chance. We cant outrun them, not in this. If we try to run, a thousand of them will swarm after us. Think of Jamie.The van was slowing, drifting to the shoulder.Give me one try, I begged. I fumbled quickly for the pill in my pocket. I pinched it between my leaf and forefinger and held it up. Let me try to lie us out of this. Ill boozing it adjust away if anything goes legal injury.Youll never lie your way past a SeekerLet me try. Quick I pulled off my lay roast and crouched be-side him, un unbendableening his. Switch with me. Fast, before theyre close enough to see.Wanda -One try. rushHe was the best at split-second decisions. Smooth and fast, he was out of the drivers crumb and over my crouched body. I roll up into his seat while he took mine.Seat belt, I ordered tersely. Close your look. Turn your head away.He did as I express. It was too dark to see it, but his new soft pink scar would be visible from this angle.I strapped my seat belt on an d indeed slopeed my head back.Lying with my body, that was the key. It was simply a matter of the right movements. Imitation. corresponding the actors on the TV program, only better. Like a human.Help me, Mel, I murmured.I cant help you be a better soul, Wanda. but you can do this. Save him. I have you can.A better soul. I only had to be myself.It was late. I was tired. I wouldnt have to act that part.I let my eyelids droop, let my body ease off against the seat.Chagrin. I could do chagrin. I could feel it now.My mouth off-key down into a sheepish grimace.The Seekers car did not park behind us, the way I could feel Mel expected. It stopped across the bridle-path, on the shoulder, facing the wrong way for that lanes traffic flow. A dazzling light exploded with the window of the other car. I blinked into it, raising my hand to shade my deliver with deliberate slowness. Faintly, past the glare of the spotlight, I saw the gleam of my eyeball bounce against the road as I looke d down.A car opening slammed. One set of footsteps made a pattern of low thuds as someone crossed the pavement. There was no sound of dirt or rocks, so the Seeker had emerged from the passenger side. Two of them, at least, but only one coming to interrogate me. This was a good sanctify, a sign of comfort and confidence.My glowing eyeball were a talisman. A compass that could not fail- interchangeable the North Star, undoubtable.Lying with my body was not the key. Telling the truth with it was enough. I had something in common with the human baby in the park cipher like me had ever existed before.The Seekers body blocked the light, and I could see again.It was a man. Probably middle-aged-his features conflicted with one other(prenominal), making it weighed down to ordinate his hair was all white, but his face was smooth and unwrinkled. He wore a T-shirt and shorts, a blocky gun clearly visible on his hip. One hand rested on the butt of the weapon. In his other hand was a dark flashlight. He didnt turn it on.Having a problem, miss? he said when he was a a couple of(prenominal) feet away. You were going much too fast for safety.His eyes were restless. They swiftly ap assessd my expression-which was, hopefully, sleepy-and because ran a yearn the length of the van, darted into the darkness behind us, flashed ship to the stretch of highway ahead, lit by our headlights, and came back to my face. They ingeminate the course another time.He was anxious. This feelledge made my palms sweaty, but I well-tried to keep the panic from my voice.Im so sorry, I apologized in a loud whisper. I glanced at Jared, as if checking to see whether our words had woken him. I destine well, I think I qualification have locomote asleep. I didnt realize I was so tired.I tried to grimace remorsefully. I could tell I sounded stiff, like the too-careful actors on the television.The Seekers eyes traced their route again, this time lingering on Jared. My heart hoped painfully ag ainst the within of my ribs. I pinched the pill tighter.It was irresponsible for me to drive for so long without sleep, I said quickly, trying again to smile a pocket-sized. I thought we could make it to Phoenix before I would need rest. Im very sorry.Whats your name, miss?His voice was not harsh, but neither was it warm. He kept it low, though, following my cue.Leaves Above, I said, using the name from the last hotel. Would he indigence to check my story? I might need someplace to interrelate him to.Upside-down Flower? he guessed. His eyes flickered around their course.Yes, I was.My partner, too. Were you on the island?No, I said quickly. The mainland. Between the great rivers.He nodded, perhaps a petty disappointed.Should I go back to Tucson? I asked. I think Im quite awake now. Or maybe I should take a nap right here first -No he cut off me in a louder voice.I jumped, skip overd, and the small pill slipped from my fingers. It dropped to the metal grace with a faintly a udible clink. I felt the blood drainage from my face as though a plug had been pulled.Didnt mean to startle you, he apologized quickly, his eyes repeating their restless circle. But you shouldnt linger here.why? I managed to whisper. My fingers twitched anxiously at the empty air.There was a disappearing recently.I dont understand. A disappearance?It could have been an accident but at that place might be He hesitated, unwilling to say the word. Humans may be in this area.Humans? I squeaked, too loud. He comprehend the fear in my voice and interpreted it the only way he could.Theres no proof of that, Leaves Above. No sightings or anything. Dont be anxious. But you should get going on to Phoenix without unnecessary delay.Of course. Or maybe Tucson? That would be closer.Theres no danger. You can continue with your plans.If youre sure, SeekerIm quite sure. Just dont go locomote off into the desert, Flower. He smiled. The expression warmed his face, making it kind. Just like all the other souls Id dealt with. He wasnt anxious about me, but for me. He wasnt listening for lies. And he probably wouldnt recognize them if he was. Just another soul.I wasnt planning on it. I smiled back at him. Ill be more careful. I deal I couldnt fall asleep now. I glanced at the desert out Jareds window with a wary expression, so the Seeker would think that fear was making me alert. My expression tensed into a taut mask as I caught sight of a equal of lights reflected in the side mirror.Jareds spine stiffened at the selfsame(prenominal) time, but he held his pose. It looked too tight.My eyes darted back to the Seekers face.I can help with that, he said, still smiling but face down now as he fumbled to remove something from his pocket.He hadnt seen the change in my face. I tried to control the muscles in my cheeks, to make them relax, but I couldnt concentrate disfranchised enough to make it happen.In the rearview mirror, the headlights got closer.You should not use this often , the Seeker went on, intrusive the other pocket now. Its not harmful, of course, or the Healers wouldnt have us shake off it out. But if you use it frequently, it will alter your sleep cycles Ah, here it is. Awake.The lights slowed as they approached.Just drive by, I begged in my head. Dont stop, dont stop, dont stop.Let it be Kyle at the wheel, Melanie added, thinking the words like a prayer.Dont stop. Just drive. Dont stop. Just drive. overleap?I blinked, trying to focus. Um, Awake?Just inhale this, Leaves Above.He had a thin white aerosol can in his hand. He sprayed a puff of mist into the air in front of my face. I leaned forward obediently and took a sniff, my eyes darting to the mirror at the same time.Its grapefruit scented, the Seeker said. Nice, dont you think?Very nice. My brain was suddenly sharp, focused.The handsome moving truck slowed and and then idled on the road be-hind us.No Mel and I yelled together. I searched the dark floor for one half second, hoping agai nst hope that the little pill would be visible. I couldnt even make out my feet.The Seeker glanced absently at the truck and then waved it forward. I looked back at the truck, too, a forced smile on my face. I couldnt see who was driving. My eyes reflected the headlights, shot out faint beams of their own.The truck hesitated.The Seeker waved again, more mostly this time. Go ahead, he muttered to himself.Drive Drive DriveBeside me, Jareds hand was clinch in a fist.Slowly, the big truck shuddered into first gear and then inched forward done the space between the Seekers vehicle and ours. The Seekers spotlight sketch two silhouettes, two black profiles, both facing straight forward. The one in the drivers seat had a crooked nose.Mel and I both exhaled in relief.How do you feel?Alert, I told the Seeker.It will wear off in about four hours.Thank you.The Seeker chuckled. Thank you, Leaves Above. When we saw you rush along down the road, we thought we might have humans on our hands. I was sweating, but not from the heatI shuddered.Dont worry. Youll be perfectly fine. If youd like, we can follow you to Phoenix.Im just fine. You dont need to trouble yourself.It was nice to meet you. Ill be pleased when my shift is over, so that I can go stead and tell my partner I met another green-first Flower. Shell be so excited.Um tell her, Brightest sun, longest day for me, I said, giving him the Earthly translation of the common greet and farewell on the Flower Planet.Certainly. Have a pleasant journey.And you have a pleasant night.He stepped back, and the spotlight hit my eyes again. I blinked furiously.Cut it, Hank, the Seeker said, shading his eyes as he turned to walk toward the car. The night turned black again, and I forced another smile toward the invisible Seeker named Hank.I started the engine with shaking hands.The Seekers were faster. The little black car with the incongruous light bar atop it purred to life. It penalise a sharp U-turn, and then the taillights w ere all I could see. They disappeared quickly into the night.I pulled back onto the road. My heart pumped the blood through my veins in hard little bursts. I could feel the fierce pulse throbbing through to my fingertips.Theyre gone, I whispered through my suddenly chattering teeth.I hear Jared swallow.That was close, he said.I thought Kyle was going to stop.Me, too.Neither of us could address above a whisper.The Seeker bought it. His teeth were still clenched in anxiety.Yes.I wouldnt have. Your acting hasnt improved much.I shrugged. My body was so rigid, it all moved together. They cant not believe me. What I am well, its something impossible. Something that shouldnt exist.Something unbelievable, he agreed. Something wonderful.His praise thawed some of the ice in my stomach, in my veins.Seekers arent all that unalike from the rest of them, I murmured to myself. Nothing to be especially afraid of.He move his head back and out slowly. There really isnt anything you cant do, is th ither?I wasnt sure how to respond to that.Having you with us is going to change everything, he continued under his breath, talking to himself now.I could feel how his words made Melanie sad, but she was not angry this time. She was resigned.You can help them. You can nurse them better than I could. She sighed.The slow-moving taillights did not frighten me when they appeared on the road ahead. They were familiar, a relief. I sped up-just a little, still a few miles below the limit-to pass them.Jared pulled a flashlight out of the glove compartment. I tacit what he was doing reassurance.He held the light to his own eyes as we passed the machine politician of the truck. I looked past him, through the other window. Kyle nodded once at Jared and took a deep breath. Ian was leaning anxiously around him, his eyes focused on me. I waved once, and he grimaced.We were getting close to our hidden exit.Should I go all the way to Phoenix?Jared thought about it. No. They might see us on the wa y back and stop us again. I dont think theyre following. Theyre focused on the road.No, they wont follow. I was sure of this.Lets go home, then.Home, I agreed wholeheartedly.We killed the lights, and so did Kyle behind us.We would take both vehicles right to the caves and unload quickly so they could be hidden before morning. The little overhang by the entrance would not hide them from view.I rolled my eyes as I thought of the way into and out of the caves. The big mystery I hadnt been able to solve for myself. Jeb was so tricky.Tricky-just like the directions hed inclined Mel, the lines hed carved onto the back of her photo album. They didnt lead to his cave hideout at all. No, instead they made the person following them parade back and forth in front of his secret place, giving him ample opportunity to conciliate whether or not to extend an invitation inside.What do you think happened? Jared asked, interrupting my thoughts.What do you mean?The recent disappearance the Seeker men tioned.I stared ahead blankly. Wouldnt that be me?I dont think you would count as recent, Wanda. Besides, they werent watching the freeway before we left. Thats new. Theyre flavour for us. Here.His eyes narrowed, while mine widened.What have they been doing? Jared suddenly exploded, slapping his hand forte against the dashboard. I jumped.You think Jeb and the others did something?He didnt answer me he just stared out across the star-bright desert with furious eyes.I didnt understand. Why would the Seekers be looking for humans just because someone had disappeared in the desert? Accidents did happen. Why would they jump to that particular conclusion?And why was Jared angry? Our family in the caves wouldnt do anything to surpass attention to themselves. They knew better than that. They wouldnt go outside unless in that respect was an emergency of some kind.Or something they felt was urgent. Necessary.Had Doc and Jeb been taking advantage of my absence?Jeb had only agreed to stop s laughtering people and souls while I was under the same roof. Was this their compromise?You okay? Jared asked.My throat was too thick to answer. I shook my head. Tears streamed down my cheeks and fell from my chin to my lap.Maybe Id better drive.I shook my head again. I could see well enough.He didnt conclude with me.I was still crying silently when we got to the little mountain that hid our ample cave system. It was actually just a hill-an insignificant outcropping of volcanic rock, like so some(prenominal) others, sparsely decorated with spindly process and flat-bladed prickly pears. The thousands of tiny vents were invisible, lost in the jumble of loose purplish rocks. Somewhere, smoke would be rising, black on black.I got out of the van and leaned against the door, wiping my eyes. Jared came to stand beside me. He hesitated, then put a hand on my shoulder.Sorry. I didnt know they were planning this. I had no idea. They shouldnt haveBut he only thought that because theyd som ehow gotten caught.The moving truck rumbled to a stop behind us. Two doors slammed shut, and then feet were running toward us.What happened? Kyle demanded, there first.Ian was right behind him. He took one look at my expression, at the rupture still running down my cheeks, at Jareds hand on my shoulder, and then rushed forward and threw his arms around me. He pulled me into his chest. I didnt know why this made me cry harder. I clung to him while my tears leaked onto his shirt.Its okay. You did great. Its over.Seekers not the problem, Ian, Jared said, voice strained, his hand still touching me, though he had to lean forward to preserve that point of contact.Huh?They were watching the road for a reason. Sounds like Docs been working in our absence.I shuddered, and for a moment, it seemed like I could smell silver blood in the back of my throat.Why, those - Ians fury robbed him of speech. He couldnt bar his sentence.Nice, Kyle said in a disgusted tone. Idiots. Were gone for a few w eeks, and theyve got the Seekers on patrol. They could have just asked us to -Shut up, Kyle, Jared said harshly. Thats neither here nor there at the moment. Weve got to get this all unloaded fast. Who knows how many are watching for us? Lets grab a load and then get some more hands.I shook Ian off so that I could help. The tears did not stop running. Ian stayed close to my side, taking the strong flat of canned soup I picked up and replacing it with a big but light box of pasta.We started down the steep parcel of land in, Jared leading. The utter blackness did not bother me. I still didnt know this path well, but it wasnt difficult. Straight down, then straight up.We were halfway there when a familiar voice called out from a distance. It echoed down the tunnel, fracturing.Theyre back ack back Jamie was shouting.I tried to dry my tears on my shoulder, but I couldnt get them all.A blue light approached, bouncing as the carrier ran. Then Jamie bounded into view.His face threw me.I wa s trying to comprise myself to greet him, assuming he would be joyful and not absentminded to upset him. But Jamie was already upset. His face was white and tense, his eyes rim in red. His dirty cheeks had rivulets through the dust there, tracks made by tears.Jamie? Jared and I said together, dropping our boxes to the floor.Jamie ran straight for me and threw his arms around my waist.Oh, Wanda Oh, Jared he sobbed. Wes is dead Hes dead The Seeker killed him