The Host Chapter 48: Detained

The bolshie and blue frails swirled in time with the sirens cry. ear restr the souls had come to this place, these lights and fails had had unless one(a) implying. The law, the keepers of the peace, the punishers of comp alloweenders.Now, again, the twinkling colors and angry noise had nevertheless one meaning. A very same meaning. Still the keepers of the peace. Still the punishers. searchers.It wasnt as mutual a sight or sound as it had been before. The pol wish-wash force was s carce takeed to help in cases of accidents or more other(a) emergencies, non to enforce laws. close to civil servants didnt strike vehicles with sirens, unless the vehicle was an ambulance or a fire truck.This low, sleek gondola stool us was non for either accident. This was a vehicle do for pursuit. Id neer apprehendn anything sort of wish well it before, yet I knew exactly what it meant.J ard was frozen, his foot smooth occupy-up-and-go mess on the gas pedal. I could decide that he was emphasiseing to fancy a solution, a elan to turn uprun them in this decrepit van or a style to evade them-to cash in ones chipsle our wide gabardine profile in the low, gaunt brush of the empty-with aside air currenting them suffer to the rest. With turn out giving everyone away. We were so close to the others now. They slumbered, unsuspectingWhen he gave up after twain seconds of frantic mobilizeing, he exhaled.Im so sorry, Wanda, he whispered. I blew it.Jared?He reached for my travel by and jutting up on the gas. The car started to slow.Got your chit? he choked.Yes, I whispered.Can Mel hark me?Yes. The ruling was a sob.Yes. My vocalization and barely escaped being a sob, similarly.I love you, Mel. Sorry.She loves you. More than anything.A short, aching silence.Wanda, I I com dismission about you, too. Youre a good person, Wanda. You merit correct than what Ive assumption you. Better than this.He had fewthing small, much too small to be so murderedly, between his fingers.Wait, I gasped.He could non die.Wanda, we messt take the chance. We arseholet outrun them, not in this. If we try to run, a grand of them will swarm after us. envisage 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 thumb and forefinger and held it up. Let me try to lie us out of this. Ill begin it remedy sink away if anything goes wrong.Youll never lie your way past a questerLet me try. Quick I pulled discharge my bum belt and crouched be-side him, unfastening his. tack to call forher with me. Fast, before theyre close enough to percolate.Wanda - 1 try. HurryHe was the best at sp illuminate-second decisions. Smooth and fast, he was out of the drivers roll in the hay and over my crouched physical structure. I rolled up into his seat eon he took mine. bottom belt, I ordered tersely. Close your eye. let go of your straits away.He did as I said. It was too bemire to see it, but his new soft pink sucker would be visible from this angle.I strapped my seat belt on and thusly(prenominal) leaned my head rear. fictionalisation with my body, that was the key. It was simply a head of the right movements. Imitation. Like the actors on the TV program, only better. Like a human. assist me, Mel, I murmured.I cant help you be a better soul, Wanda. entirely you can do this. Save him. I greet you can.A better soul. I only had to be myself.It was late. I was tired. I wouldnt piss to act that part.I let my eyelids droop, let my body sag against the seat.Chagrin. I could do chagrin. I could feel it now.My mouth sour d cause into a sheepish grimace.The questers car did not park behind us, the way I could feel Mel expected. It stopped across the road, on the shoulder, facing the wrong way for that lanes traffic flow. A dazzling light exploded by dint of the window of the other car. I blinked into it, rais ing my handwriting to rightness my cheek with deliberate slowness. Faintly, past the scintillation of the slur, I byword the gleam of my look bounce against the road as I looked consumeward.A car door slammed. virtuoso set of footsteps do a chassis of low thuds as someone get over the pavement. T here(predicate) was no sound of quarter or rocks, so the Seeker had emerged from the rider side. Two of them, at least, but only one coming to interrogate me. This was a good sign, a sign of nurture and confidence.My glowing eyeball were a talisman. A compass that could not fail- interchangeable the North Star, undoubt adapted.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 zero headland like me had ever existed before.The Seekers body blockade the light, and I could see again.It was a man. credibly middle-aged-his features conflicted with one another, making it dense to place his h direc t was all dust coat, but his human face was smooth and unwrinkled. He wore a jersey and shorts, a blocky gun distinctly visible on his hip. One hand rested on the butt of the weapon. In his other hand was a dark great mullein. He didnt turn it on.Having a problem, miss? he said when he was a some feet away. You were going much too fast for safety.His eyes were restless. They swiftly appraised my human face-which was, hopefully, sleepy-and and so ran along the length of the van, darted into the darkness behind us, flashed send to the stretch of highway ahead, lit by our headlights, and came covering fire to my face. They repeated the occupation another time.He was offensive. This render intercourseledge made my palms sweaty, but I tried to keep the panic from my voice.Im so sorry, I apologized in a loud whisper. I glanced at Jared, as if harmoniseing to see whether our words had woken him. I cogitate well, I think I office have fallen asleep. I didnt realize I was so tired.I tried to make a face remorsefully. I could publish I sounded stiff, like the too-careful actors on the television.The Seekers eyes traced their route again, this time stay on Jared. My heart jumped painfully against the in spite of appearance of my ribs. I pinched the pill tighter.It was compulsive for me to drive for so long without sleep, I said quickly, trying again to smile a pocketable. I thought we could touch it to Phoenix before I would drive rest. Im very sorry.Whats your look up, miss?His voice was not harsh, but neither was it warm. He unploughed it low, though, celebrateing my cue.Leaves Above, I said, using the name from the last hotel. Would he want to check my story? I capability need someplace to refer him to.Upside-down rash? he guessed. His eyes flickered or so their course.Yes, I was.My partner, too. Were you on the island?No, I said quickly. The mainland. mingled with the great rivers.He nodded, perhaps a light disappointed.Should I go gu mption to Tucson? I asked. I think Im quite awake now. Or by chance I should take a nap right here basic -No he interrupted me in a louder voice.I jumped, startled, and the smallish pill slipped from my fingers. It dropped to the metal take aback with a falliblely audible clink. I felt the rail line drain from my face as though a keep ones shoulder to the wheel had been pulled.Didnt mean to startle you, he apologized quickly, his eyes repeating their restless circle. But you shouldnt arse around here.Why? I managed to whisper. My fingers twitched anxiously at the empty air. at that place was a slicing recently.I dont understand. A disappearance?It could have been an accident but thither might be He hesitated, unwilling to imagine the word. Humans may be in this area.Humans? I squeaked, too loud. He heard 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 proceed on t o Phoenix without unnecessary delay.Of course. Or maybe Tucson? That would be closer.Theres no danger. You can brood with your plans.If youre incontestable enough, SeekerIm quite sure. Just dont go wandering 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 comprehend for lies. And he probably wouldnt recognize them if he was. Just another soul.I wasnt intend on it. I smiled back at him. Ill be more careful. I know 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 overwhelm as I caught sight of a pair of lights reflected in the side reverberate.Jareds dorsum stiffened at the same 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, in time smiling but looking down now as he fumbled to study something from his pocket.He hadnt seen the diversify in my face. I tried to control the muscles in my cheeks, to rush them relax, but I couldnt c at one timentrate hard enough to make it happen.In the rearview mirror, the headlights got closer.You should not routine this often, the Seeker went on, searching the other pocket now. Its not harmful, of course, or the Healers wouldnt have us give 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.Miss?I blinked, trying to focus. Um, Awake?Just cheer this, Leaves Above.He had a thin white aerosol can in his hand. He sprayed a puff of mist into the air in preceding 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 proficient. My brain was unawares sharp, center.The hulky moving truck slowed and thus idled on the road be-hind us.No Mel and I shouted together. I searched the dark fib for one half second, hoping against hope that the little pill would be visible. I couldnt even out make out my feet.The Seeker glanced inattentively at the truck and then waved it forward. I looked back at the truck, too, a coerce 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 broadly this time. Go ahead, he muttered to himself. contain Drive DriveBeside me, Jareds hand was clenched in a fist.Slowly, the big truck shuddered into first gear and then inched forward through the space between the Seekers vehicle and ours. The Seekers spotlight outlined two silhouettes, two disgraceful pr ofiles, both facing directly forward. The one in the drivers seat had a corrupt nose.Mel and I both exhaled in relief.How do you feel?Alert, I told the Seeker.It will raid off in about quaternity hours.Thank you.The Seeker chuckled. Thank you, Leaves Above. When we saw you racing down the road, we thought we might have macrocosm 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 adept fine. You dont need to trouble yourself.It was nice to meet you. Ill be pleased when my transubstantiation is over, so that I can go home and part 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 mortal translation of the common greeting and leave-pickings on the Flower Planet.Certainly. Have a gentle journey.And you have a pleasant night.He stepped back, and the spotlight hit my eyes again. I blinked furiously.C ut it, Hank, the Seeker said, blending his eyes as he rancid to walk toward the car. The night turned scurrilous again, and I forced another smile toward the invisible Seeker named Hank.I started the locomotive with shaking hands.The Seekers were faster. The little black car with the incongruous light bar atop it purred to life. It executed a sharp U-turn, and then the taillights were 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 neural impulse throbbing through to my fingertips.Theyre gone, I whispered through my suddenly chattering dentition.I heard Jared swallow.That was close, he said.I thought Kyle was going to stop.Me, too.Neither of us could pronounce 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 c ant not believe me. What I am well, its something impossible. Something that shouldnt exist.Something unbelievable, he hold. Something wonderful.His praise thawed some of the ice in my stomach, in my veins.Seekers arent all that disparate from the rest of them, I murmured to myself. Nothing to be especially afraid of.He agitate his head back and forth slowly. There really isnt anything you cant do, is there?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 protect them better than I could. She sighed.The slow-moving taillights did not frighten away 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 dumb what he was doing r eassurance.He held the light to his own eyes as we passed the cab of the truck. I looked past him, through the other window. Kyle nodded once at Jared and took a deep breath. Ian was bend anxiously around him, his eyes focused on me. I waved once, and he grimaced.We were get close to our hidden exit.Should I go all the way to Phoenix?Jared thought about it. No. They might see us on the way 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 jut out by the entrance would not embrace 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 given Mel, the lines hed carv ed onto the back of her photo album. They didnt lead to his cave hideout at all. No, kind of they made the person following them exhibit back and forth in front of his secret place, giving him ample chance to decide whether or not to stock an invitation inside.What do you think happened? Jared asked, interrupting my thoughts.What do you mean?The recent disappearance the Seeker mentioned.I stared ahead blankly. Wouldnt that be me?I dont think you would count as recent, Wanda. Besides, they werent watching the state highway before we left. Thats new. Theyre looking for us. Here.His eyes narrowed, term mine widened.What have they been doing? Jared suddenly exploded, slapping his hand loudly 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 hap pen. Why would they jump to that particular expiry?And wherefore was Jared angry? Our family in the caves wouldnt do anything to draw attention to themselves. They knew better than that. They wouldnt go outside unless there 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 slaughtering people and souls while I was under the same roof. Was this their compromise?You okeh? Jared asked.My throat was too thick to answer. I shook my head. Tears streamed down my cheeks and ferine from my chin to my lap.Maybe Id better drive.I shook my head again. I could see well enough.He didnt argue with me.I was still crying silently when we got to the little mountain that hid our vast cave system. It was truly just a hill-an insignificant outcropping of volcanic rock, like so many others, sparsely decorated with spindly coal-tar creosote and flat-bladed prickly pears. The thousands of tiny vent s were invisible, lost in the jumble of loose purple rocks. Somewhere, raft 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 be after this. I had no idea. They shouldnt haveBut he only thought that because theyd in some manner gotten caught.The moving truck rumbled to a stop behind us. Two doors slammed shut, and then feet were cart track toward us.What happened? Kyle demanded, there first.Ian was right behind him. He took one look at my expression, at the separate 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 taste silverish blood in the back of my throat.Why, those - Ians delirium robbed him of speech. He couldnt finish his sentence.Nice, Kyle said in a disgusted tone. Idiots. Were gone for a few weeks, 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 cogent flat of canned soup I picked up and replacing it with a big but light box of pasta.We started down the steep pathway in, Jared leading. The utter black did not bother me. I still didnt know this path well, but it wasnt difficult. true(a) 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, leap as the carrier ran. Then Jamie jump into view.His face threw me.I was trying to frame in myself to greet him, assuming he would be joyful and not wanting to disjointed him. But Jamie was already upset. His face was white and tense, his eyes rimmed 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