The Host Chapter 45: Succeeded

healer Knits Fire and sky-blue walked by dint of the door to surviveher. The Healer pawed me a tall glass of water. It didnt discover as snappy as the first-my fingers were cold with fear now. The dark-skinned woman had something for me, too. She extended me a flat rectangle with a handle.I thought you would pauperization to break, Knits Fire said with a warm smile.The tension flooded place of me. at that place was no suspicion or fear. Just more kindness from the souls who had dedicated their lives to Healing.Cerulean had given me a mirror.I held it up and then tried to stifle my gasp.My mettle looked the way I remembered it from San Diego. The face Id interpreted for granted thither. The skin was smooth and peachy across my right cheekb angiotensin-converting enzyme. If I looked care justy, it was fair a be exactd lowerer and pinker in color than the tan on the different cheek.It was a face that be unyieldinged to Wanderer, the soul. It belonged here, in this civili sed place where there was no violence and no horror.I realized why it was so lucky to lie to these gentle creatures. Because it felt right to talk with them, because I understood their communication and their rules. The lies could be perchance should be true. I should be filling a Calling somewhere, whether teaching at a university or serving food in a restaurant. A peaceful, easy life contributing to a great good.What do you think? the Healer asked.I look perfect. give thanks you.It was my pleasure to heal you.I looked at myself again, seeing details beyond the perfection. My hair was ragged-dirty, with uneven ends. There was no gloss to it-homemade soap and unfortunate nutrition were to blame for that. Though the Healer had cleaned the blood from my neck, it was still smudged with purple dust.I think its fourth dimension I called the camping trip quits. I use up to clean up, I murmured.Do you camp a great deal?In all my free time, lately. I cant seem to keep away from the desert.You must be brave. I find the city very much more comfortable. non brave- exactly different.In the mirror, my eyes were familiar rings of hazel. swarthiness gray on the outside, a circle of moss green, and then another circle of caramel brown or so the pupil. Underlying it all, a faint shimmer of silver that would reflect the light, magnify it.Jamie? Mel asked urgently, beginning to feel nervous. I was too comfortable here. She could see the logic of the other path laid out in the first place me, and that scared her.I know who I am, I told her.I blinked, then looked back at the friendly faces beside me.Thank you, I said again to the Healer. I suppose Id better be on my way.Its very late. You could residuum here if youd deal.Im not tired. I feel perfect.The Healer grinned. No Pain does that.Cerulean walked me to the reception area. She empower her hand on my shoulder as I stepped through the door.My heart beat nimbleer. Had she noticed that my pack, one time flat, w as now bulging?Be more careful, dear, she said, and patted my arm.I will. No more hikes in the dark.She smiled and went back to her desk.I kept my pace even as I walked through the parking lot. I wanted to run. What if the Healer looked in her cabinets? How soon would she realize why they were half empty?The car was still there, in the liberation of darkness created by a gap between streetlights. It looked empty. My breath came fast and uneven. Of course it should look empty. That was the substantial point. moreover my lungs didnt calm until I could g jerkse the vague shape under the c all over version on the backseat.I opened the door and put the backpack on the passenger seat-it settled there with a calm clatter-then I climbed in and shut the door. There was no reason to slam the locks pour down I ignored the urge.Are you okay? Jared whispered as soon as the door was closed. His vocalise was a strained, anxious(p) rasp.Shh, I said, keeping my lips as still as I could. Wait .I drove past the glinting entrance and answered Ceruleans wave with one of my own.Making friends?We were on the dark road. No one was watching me anymore. I slumped in the seat. My hands started to shake. I could allow that, now that it was over. Now that Id succeeded.All souls are friends, I told him, apply my normal volume.Are you all right? he demanded again.Im healed.Let me see.I stretched my leftover arm across my body, so he could see the tiny pink line.He sucked in a surprised breath.The blanket rustled he sat up and then climbed through the space between the seats. He pushed the backpack out of the way, then pulled it onto his lap, testing its weight.He looked up at me as we passed under a streetlamp, and he gasped.Your faceIts healed, too. Naturally.He raised one hand, holding it in the air near my cheek, unsure. Does it hurt?Of course not. It feels like nothing happened to it in the first place.His fingers brushed the new skin. It tingled, but that was from his touch. Then he was back to business.Did they odd anything? Do you think theyll call the takekers?No. I told you they wouldnt be suspicious. They didnt even check my eyes. I was hurt, so they healed me. I shrugged.What did you get? he asked, opening the drawstrings on the backpack.The right things for Jamie if we get back in time I glanced at the clock on the dashboard automatically, though the hours it marked were meaningless. And more for the future. I merely took what I understood.Well be back in time, he promised. He examined the white containers. Smooth?Not a necessity. But I know what it does, soHe nodded, digging through the bag. He muttered the call to himself. No Pain? Does it work?I laughed. Its amazing. If you stab yourself, I could intend you Thats a joke.I know.He was staring at me with an expression I didnt understand. His eyes were wide, like something had deeply surprised him.What? My joke hadnt been that bad.You did it. His caliber was full of wonder.Wasnt that the id ea?Yes, but I guess I didnt really think we were issue to fuddle it out.You didnt? Then why? wherefore did you let me try?He answered in a soft almost-whisper. I figured it was better to die act than to live without the kid.For a moment, my throat was choked with emotion. Mel was too subordinate to speak as well. We were a family in that one instant. All of us.I cleared my throat. No need to feel things that would only come to nothing.It was very easy. Probably any of you could get away with it, if you acted naturally. She did look at my neck. I touched it reflexively. Your scar is too obviously homemade, but with the medicines I took, physician could fix that.I doubt any of us could act so natural.I nodded. Yes. Its easy for me. I know what they expect. I laughed briefly to myself. Im one of them. If you trusted me, I could probably get you anything in the world you wanted. I laughed again. It was just the stress fading, making me giddy. But it was funny to me. Did he realize that I would do exactly that for him? Anything in the world he wanted.I do trust you, he whispered. With all our lives, I trust you.And he had trusted me with every single human life. His, and Jamies, and everyone elses.Thank you, I whispered back.You did it, he repeated in wonder.Were going to save him.Jamie is going to live, Mel rejoiced. Thank you, Wanda.Anything for them, I told her, and then I sighed, because it was so true.After reattaching the tarps when we reached the wash, Jared took over the driving. The way was familiar to him, and he drove faster than I would have. He had me get out before he pulled the car into its impossibly small hiding place under the rock slide. I waited for the respectable of rock against metal, but Jared found a way in.And then we were back in the landrover and quick through the night. Jared laughed, triumphant, as we jolted across the open desert, and the wind carried his voice away.Wheres the blindfold? I asked.Why?I looked at him.Wanda, if y ou wanted to turn us in, you had your chance. No one can deny that youre one of us now.I thought about that. I think some still could. It would make them feel better.Your some need to get over themselves.I was shaking my head now, picturing our reception. Its not going to be easy, getting back in. Imagine what theyre thinking right now. What theyre waiting forHe didnt answer. His eyes narrowed.Jared if they if they dont bear in mind if they dont wait I started talking faster, feeling a sudden pressure, trying to get him all the breeding before it was too late. Give Jamie the No Pain first-lay that on his diction. Then the Inside reinvigorated spray-he just has to inhale it. Youll need doctor to -Hey, hey Youre going to be the one giving the directions.But let me posit you how -No, Wanda. Its not going to go down that way. Ill shoot anyone who touches you.Jared -Dont panic. Ill aim low, and then you can use that tweet to heal em back up again.If thats a joke, its not funny.No joke, Wanda.Wheres the blindfold?He pressed his lips together.But I had my old shirt-Jebs raggy hand-me-down. That would work almost as well.This will make it a little numeral easier for them to let us in, I said as I folded it up into a thick band. And that elbow room getting to Jamie faster. I tied it over my eyes.It was quiet for a time. The jeep bounced along the uneven terrain. I remembered nights like this when Melanie had been the passengerIm taking us right to the caves. Theres a place the jeep will be fairly well hidden for a day or two. It will save us time.I nodded. Time was the key now.Almost there, he said after a minute. He exhaled. Theyre waiting.I hear him fumbling beside me, heard a metal clank as he pulled the gun from the backseat.Dont shoot anyone.No promises.Stop someone shouted. The break carried in the empty desert air.The jeep slowed and then idled.Its just us, Jared said. Yes, yes, look. See? Im still me.There was hesitation from the other side.Look-Im br inging the jeep in under cover, okay? Weve got meds for Jamie, and were in a hurry. I dont care what youre thinking, youre not going to get in my way tonight.The jeep pulled forward. The sound changed and echoed as he found his cover.Okay, Wanda, everythings fine. Lets go.I already had the pack on my shoulders. I got out of the jeep carefully, not sure where the wall was. Jared caught my searching hands.Up you go, he said, and lifted me over his shoulder again.I wasnt as secure as before. He used only one arm to hold me. The other must have had the gun. I didnt like that.But I was worried abundant to be thankful for it when I heard the running alkalisteps approaching.Jared, you idiot Kyle shouted. What were you thinking?Ease up, Kyle, Jeb said.Is she hurt? Ian demanded.Get out of my way, Jared said, his voice calm. Im in a hurry. Wandas in perfect shape, but she insisted on being blindfolded. How is Jamie?Hot, Jeb said.Wandas got what we need. He was moving fast now, sliding down hill.I can carry her. Ian, of course.Shes fine where she is.Im really okay, I told Ian, my voice bouncing with Jareds movement. ascending(prenominal) again, a steady jog despite my weight. I could hear the others running with us.I knew when we were through to the briny cavern-the angry hiss of voices swelled around us, turning into a clamor of sound.Out of my way, Jared roared over their voices. Is mercantilism with Jamie?I couldnt make out the answer. Jared could have put me down, but he was in too much of a hurry to pause for that second.The angry voices echoed behind us, the sound constricting as we entered the smaller tunnel. I could feel where we were now, follow the turns in my head as we raced through the junction to the third sleeping hall. I could almost count the doors as they passed me invisibly.Jared jerked to a halt and let the sudden stop slide me down from his shoulder. My feet hit the floor. He ripped the blindfold from my eyes.Our room was lit by several of the dim blue lanterns. Doc was standing rigidly, as if hed just sprung to his feet. Kneeling beside him, her hand still holding a wet material to Jamies forehead, was Sharon. Her face was almost unrecognizable, it was so contorted with fury. Maggie was struggling to her feet on Jamies other side.Jamie still lay limp and red, eyes closed, his chest barely moving to pull in air.You Sharon spit, and then she launched herself from her crouch. Like a cat, she sprang at Jared, nails reaching for his face.Jared caught her hands and twisted her away from him, pulling her arms behind her back.Maggie looked as if she was about to pairing her daughter, but Jeb stepped around the struggling Sharon and Jared to stand toe-to-toe with her.Let her go Doc cried.Jared ignored him. Wanda-heal himDoc moved to put himself between Jamie and me.Doc, I choked. The violence in the room, swirling around Jamies still form, scared me. I need your help. Please. For Jamie.Doc didnt move, his eyes on Sharon and Jared. Cmon, Doc, Ian said. The little room was too crowded, claustrophobic, as Ian came to stand with his hand on my shoulder. You gonna let the kid die for your pride?Its not pride. You dont know what these foreign substances will do to himHe cant get much worse, can he?Doc, I said. Look at my face.Doc wasnt the only one who responded to my words. Jeb, Ian, and even Maggie looked and then did a double take. Maggie glanced away quickly, angry that shed betrayed any interest.How? Doc demanded.Ill show you. Please. Jamie doesnt need to suffer.Doc hesitated, staring at my face, and then let out a big sigh. Ians right-he cant get much worse. If this kills him He shrugged, and his shoulders slumped. He took a step back.No, Sharon cried.No one paid any aid to her.I knelt beside Jamie, yanking the backpack off my shoulders and tugging it open. I fumbled until I found the No Pain. A bright light switched on beside me, pointed at Jamies face.Water, Ian?I twisted the lid open and pinched out one o f the little tissue squares. When I pulled Jamies chin down, his skin burned my hand. I laid the square on his tongue and then held out my hand without looking up. Ian set(p) the bowl of water in it.Carefully, I dripped enough water into his mouth to wash the medicine down his throat. The sound of his swallow was dry and painful.I searched devilishly for the thinner spray bottle. When I found it, I had the lid off and the mist sprayed into the air in a higher place him in one fast movement. I waited, watching his chest until he inhaled.I touched his face, and it was so hot I scrambled for the Cool, praying it would be easy to use. The lid screwed off, and I found that the cylinder was full of more tissue squares, light blue this time. I breathed a sigh of relief and placed one on Jamies tongue. I picked up the bowl again and dribbled another mouthful of water through his parched lips.His swallow was quicker this time, less strained.Another hand touched Jamies face. I recognized Doc s long bony fingers.Doc, do you have a sharp knife?I have a scalpel. You want me to open the wound?Yes, so I can clean it.I thought about trying that to drain it, but the painHell feel nothing now.Look at his face, Ian leaned in beside me to whisper.Jamies face was no longer red. It was a natural, healthy tan. The sweat still glistened on his brow, but I knew it was just left over from before. Doc and I touched his forehead at the same time.Its working. Yes Exultation swept through both Mel and me.Remarkable, Doc breathed.The fever has cooled, but the infection may remain in his leg. Help me with his wound, Doc. Sharon, could you hand me - he began absentmindedly. Then he looked up. Oh. Ah, Kyle, do you mind handing me that bag right there by your foot?I scooted down so that I was over the red, swollen cut. Ian redirected the light so I could see it clearly. Doc and I both rustled through our bags at the same time. He came up with the silver scalpel, a sight that sent a quiver of un ease down my spine. I ignored it and readied the bigger Clean spray.He wont feel it? Doc checked, hesitating.Hey, Jamie croaked. His eyes were open wide, roaming the room until they found my face. Hey, Wanda. Whats going on? Whats everyone doing here?