The Host Chapter 51: Prepared

I found J ard and Jamie in our room, postp 1ment for me, worry on both their subjects. Jared must allow talked to Jeb.Are you solely right? Jared asked me, while Jamie jumped up and threw his arms around my waist.I wasnt received how to answer his question. I didnt endure the answer. Jared, I need your help.Jared was on his feet as soon as I was d whiz speaking. Jamie leaned back to look at my face. I didnt meet Jamies gaze. I wasnt real how much I could adopt right now.What do you need me to do? Jared asked.Im making a raid. I could use some extra muscle.What are we after? He was in exse, already shifting into his mission mode.Ill explain on the mood. We dont afford a spoilt bucks of c rim.Can I come? Jamie say.No Jared and I said together.Jamie frowned and completelyow me go, sinking down onto the mattress and cut through his legs. He put his face in his hands and sulked. I couldnt look directly at him in advance I ducked push through with(predicate) of the ro om. I was already yearning to sit beside him, to hold him steadfast and forget this whole mess.Jared followed as I retraced my path through the s show uphwestward tunnel.Why this way? he asked.I He would last if I tried to lie or evade. I dont want to run into any maven. Jeb, Aaron, or Brandt, particularly.Why?I dont want to have to explain myself to them. Not yet.He was quiet, hard to make sense of my answer.I changed the subject. Do you know where Lily is? I dont think she should be al hotshot. She seemsIans with her.Thats good. Hes the kindest.Ian would help Lily-he was exactly what she needed now. Who would help Ian when? I move my head, shaking the thought away.What are we in such a hurry to get? Jared asked me.I alikek a deep breath bulge front I answered him. Cryotanks.The south tunnel was b neglect. I could non see his face. His footsteps did not falter beside me, and he didnt say any topic for s everal minutes. When he spoke again, I could hear that he was focusing on the raid-single-minded, setting aside any(prenominal) curiosity he felt until after the mission was planned to his sitisfaction.Where do we get them?Empty cryotanks are stored outside Healing facilities until theyre needed. With more souls coming in than leaving, there testament be a surplus. No adept get out guard them no matchless(a) will notice if some go missing.Are you sure? Where did you get this information?I proerb them in Chicago, piles and piles of them. Even the pocket-size facility we went to in Tucson had a sm completely store of them, crated outside the deli very(prenominal) bay.If they were crated, then how offer you be sure -Havent you noticed our fondness for labels?Im not doubting you, he said. I effective want to make sure that youve thought this through.I heard the double meaning in his words.I have.Lets get it done, then. mendelevium was already kaput(p)-already with Jeb, as we hadnt passed him on the way. He must have go forth right behind me. I wondered how his news was being assumen. I hoped they werent pillock enough to question it in front of the Seeker. Would she shred her human armaments wizard if she guessed what I was doing? Would she assume Id turned traitor entirely? That I would break the humans what they needed with no restrictions?Wasnt that what I was about to do, though? When I was gone, would Doc bother to uphold his word?Yes, he would try. I believed that. I had to believe that. But he couldnt do it alone. And who would help him?We scrambled up the tight black vent that opened onto the southern face of the scratchy hill, about halfway up the low peak. The eastern edge of the sentiment was turning gray, with just a hint of pink bleeding into the verge among slash and rock.My eyes were locked on my feet as I climbed down. It was required there was no path, and the loose rocks do for treacherous footing. But regular(a) if the way had been paved and smooth, I doubted I would have been able to facelift my eyes. My shoulders, too, seemed trapped in a slump.Traitor. Not a misfit, not a wanderer. Just a traitor. I was putting my gentle brothers and sisters lives into the angry and motivate hands of my adopted human family.My humans had every right to loathe the souls. This was a war, and I was giving them a weapon. A way to toss off with impunity.I considered this as we ran through the desert in the growing heat of dawn-ran because, with the Seekers looking, we shouldnt be out in the daylight.Focusing on this angle-viewing my choice not as a sacrifice precisely rather as fortify the humans in exchange for the Seekers life-I knew that it was wrong. And if I was trying to save still the Seeker, this would be the moment when I would change my mind and turn around. She wasnt worth(predicate) selling out the others. Even she would agree with that.Or would she? I all at once wondered. The Seeker didnt seem to be as what was the word Jared had used? Altruistic. As altru istic as the rest of us. Maybe she would count her own life dearer than the lives of many.But it was too late to change my mind. Id already thought utmost beyond just saving the Seeker. For one thing, this would happen again. The humans would bug out any souls they came across unless I gave them another option. More than that, I was liberation to save Melanie, and that was worth the sacrifice. I was handout to save Jared and Jamie, too. Might as healthful save the repugnant Seeker while I was at it.The souls were wrong to be here. My humans deserved their world. I could not support it back to them, but I could give them this. If exclusively I could be sure that they would not be cruel.I would just have to aver Doc, and hope.And maybe wring the herald from a a few(prenominal) more of my boosters, just in case.I wondered how many human lives I would save. How many souls lives I might save. The only one I couldnt save now was myself.I sighed heavily. Even oer the sound of ou r exerted breathing, Jared heard that. In my peripheral vision, I saw his face turn, felt his eyes boring into me, but I did not look over to meet his gaze. I stared at the cause.We got to the jeeps secrecy prat before the sun had climbed over the eastern peaks, though the sky was already light blue. We ducked into the shallow cave just as the archetypical rays painted the desert sandpaper gold.Jared grabbed two bottles of water out of the backseat, tossed one to me, and then lounged against the wall. He gulped down half a bottle and wiped his verbalize with the back of his hand before he spoke.I could tell you were in a hurry to get out of there, but we need to dwell until dark if youre planning a smash and grab.I swallowed my communicateful of water. Thats fine. Im sure theyll wait for us now.His eyes searched my face.I saw your Seeker, he told me, watch my reaction. Shes energetic.I nodded. And vocal.He smiled and rolled his eyes. She doesnt seem to enjoy the accommodati ons we provided.My gaze dropped to the floor. Could be worse, I mumbled. The strangely jealous suffer Id been feeling leaked, uninvited, into my utterance.Thats true, he agreed, his voice subdued.Why are they so kind to her? I whispered. She killed Wes.Well, thats your fault.I stared up at him, surprised to see the slight curve of his mouth he was teasing me.Mine?His small smile wavered. They didnt want to feel akin monsters. Not again. Theyre trying to make up for before, only a little too late-and with the wrong soul. I didnt realize that would hurt your feelings. I would have thought youd like it better that way.I do. I didnt want them to hurt anyone. Its always better to be kind. I just I took a deep breath. Im glad I know why.Their kindess was for me, not for her. My shoulders felt lighter.Its not a good feeling-knowing that you profoundly deserve the title of monster. Its better to be kind than to feel guilty. He smiled again and then yawned. That made me yawn. broad night, he commented. And weve got another one coming. We should sleep.I was glad for his suggestion. I knew he had many questions about exactly what this raid meant. I also knew he would have already put several things together. And I didnt want to discuss any of it.I stretched out on the smooth patch of sand beside the jeep. To my shock, Jared came to lie beside me, right beside me. He curled around the curve of my back.Here, he said, and he reached around to slide his fingers under my face. He pulled my head up from the ground and then move his arm under it, making a pillow for me. He let his other arm drape over my waist.It took a few seconds before I was able to respond. Thanks.He yawned. I felt his breath heartily the back of my neck. Get some rest, Wanda. attribute me in what could only be considered an embrace, Jared fell asleep quickly, as he had always been able to do. I tried to relax with his arm warm around me, but it took a long time.This embrace made me wonder how much he had already guessed.My weary thoughts tangled and twisted. Jared was right-it had been a very long night. Though not half long enough. The rest of my age and nights were overtaking to fly by as if they were only minutes.The next thing I knew, Jared was shaking me awake. The light in the little cavern was obscure and orangey. Sunset.Jared pulled me to my feet and handed me a hikers meal bar-this was the kind of rations they kept with the jeep. We ate, and drank the rest of our water, in silence. Jareds face was serious and focused. Still in a hurry? he asked as we climbed into the jeep.No. I wanted the time to stretch out forever.Yes. What was the point in putting it off? The Seeker and her frame would divulge if we waited too long, and I would still have to make the same choice.Well blast Phoenix, then. Its logical that they wouldnt notice this kind of raid. It doesnt make sense for humans to take your cold-storage tanks. What possible use could we have for them?The question d idnt sound at all rhetorical, and I could feel him looking at me again. But I stared out front at the rocks and said nothing.It had been dark for a while by the time we traded vehicles and got to the freeway. Jared waited a few elaborate minutes with the inconspicuous sedans lights off. I counted ten cars passing by. Then there was a long darkness surrounded by the headlights, and Jared pulled onto the road.The trip to Phoenix was very short, though Jared kept the speed conscientiously below the limit. Time was speeding up, as if the Earth were spinning faster.We colonised into the steady-moving traffic, flowing with it along the highway that circled the flat, sprawling city. I saw the hospital from the road. We followed another car up the exit ramp, moving evenly, without hurry.Jared turned into the primary(prenominal) parking lot.Where now? he asked, tense.See if this road continues around the back. The tanks will be by a loading area.Jared host slowly. There were many sou ls here, going in and out of the facility, some of them in scrubs. Healers. No one paid us any particular attention.The road hugged the sidewalk, then slew around the north side of the building complex.Look. Shipping trucks. Head that way.We passed amidst a wing of low buildings and a parking garage. Several trucks, delivering health check supplies no doubt, were backed into receiving ports. I scanned the crates on the dock, all labeled.Keep going though we might want to grab some of those on the way back. See-Heal Cool Still? I wonder what that one is.I want that these supplies were labeled and left field unguarded. My family wouldnt go without the things they needed when I was gone. When I was gone it seemed that phrase was tacked on to all of my thoughts now.We rounded the back of another building. Jared drove a little faster and kept his eyes forward-there were people here, quadruplet of them, unloading a truck onto a dock. It was the exactness of their movements that caugh t my attention. They didnt handle the smallish boxes roughly quite the contrary, they placed them with infinite care onto the waist-high lip of concrete.I didnt really need the label for confirmation, but just then, one of the unloaders turned his box so the black letters faced me directly.This is the place we want. Theyre unloading occupied tanks right now. The empty ones wont be far Ah There, on the other side. That shed is half full of them. Ill bet the closed sheds are all the way full.Jared kept driving at the same careful speed, turning the corner to the side of the building.He snorted quietly.What? I asked.Figures. See?He jerked his chin toward the sign on the building.This was the maternity wing.Ah, I said. Well, youll always know where to look, wont you?His eyes flashed to my face when I said that, and then back to the road.Well have to wait for a bit. Looked like they were almost finished.Jared circled the hospital again, then position at the back of the biggest lot, away from the lights.He killed the engine and slumped against the seat. He reached over and took my hand. I knew that he was about to ask, and I tried to prepare myself.Wanda?Yes?Youre going to save the Seeker, arent you?Yes, I am.Because its the right thing to do? he guessed.Thats one reason.He was silent for a moment.You know how to get the soul out without hurting the body?My heart thumped hard once, and I had to swallow before I could answer. Yes. Ive done it before. In an emergency. Not here.Where? he asked. What was the emergency?It was a story Id never told them before, for obvious reasons. It was one of my best. Lots of action. Jamie would have love it. I sighed and began in a low voice.On the Mists Planet. I was with my friend govern Light and a guide. I dont remember the guides take a s score. They called me Lives in the Stars there. I already had a bit of a reputation.Jared chuckled.We were making a excursion across the fourth great ice field to see one of the more celebra ted crystal cities. It was supposed to be a guard route-thats why there were only three of us.Claw animals like to excavate pits and bury themselves in the lead by the nose. Camouflage, you know. A trap.One moment, there was nothing but the flat, endless snow. Then, the next moment, it seemed like the entire field of white was exploding into the sky.An norm adult Bear has about the mass of a buffalo. A heavy(a) youngster puppet is closer to the mass of a blue whale. This one was bigger than most.I couldnt see the guide. The crotchet beast had sprung up betwixt us, facing where draw rein Light and I stood. Bears are faster than claw beasts, but this one had the advantage of the ambush. Its huge stone-like pincers swooped down and sheared arms Light in half before Id really processed what was happening.A car drove slowly down the side of the parking lot. We sat silent until it had passed.I hesitated. I should have started running, but my friend was anxious(p) there on th e ice. Because of that hesitation, I would have stopd, too, if the claw beast hadnt been distracted. I found out later that our guide-I wish I could remember his name-had attempted the claw beasts tail, hoping to give us a chance to run. The claw beasts attack had stirred up enough snow that it was like a blizzard. The lack of visibility would help us escape. He didnt know it was already too late for Harness Light to run.The claw beast turned on the guide, and his second left leg kicked us, sending me flying. Harness Lights upper body landed beside me. His blood melted the snow.I paused to shudder.My next action made no sense, because I had no body for Harness Light. We were midway between cities, much too far to run to either. It was probably cruel, too, to take him out with no painkillers. But I couldnt stand to let him die inner(a) the broken half of his Bear host.I used the back of my hand-the ice- deletion side. It was too wide a blade It caused a lot of damage. I could only hope that Harness Light was far gone enough that he wouldnt feel the extra pain.Using my soft inside fingers, I coaxed Harness Light from the Bears brain.He was still alive. I barely paused to ascertain this. I shoved him into the egg pocket in the center of my body, between the two hottest hearts. This would keep him from dying of cold, but he would only last a few short minutes without a body. And where would I find a host body in this empty waste?I thought of trying to share my host, but I doubted I could stay conscious through the procedure to insert him into my own head. And then, having no healing medicine, I would die quickly. With all those hearts, Bears bled very fast.The claw beast roared, and I felt the ground shake as its huge paws thudded down. I didnt know where our guide was, or if he lived. I didnt know how long it would take the claw beast to find us half-buried in the snow. I was right beside the severed Bear. The coruscant blood would draw the monsters eyes.And t hen I got this crazy idea.I paused to jocularity quietly to myself.I didnt have a Bear host for Harness Light. I couldnt use my body. The guide was dead or had fled. But there was one other body on the ice field.It was insanity, but all I could think of was Harness Light. We werent even close friends, but I knew he was slowly dying, right between my hearts. I couldnt endure that.I heard the angry claw beast roaring, and I ran toward the sound. Soon I could see its thick white fur. I ran straight to its third left leg and launched myself as high up the leg as I could. I was a good jumper. I used all six-spot of my hands, the knife sides, to yank myself up the side of the beast. It roared and spun, but that didnt help. Picture a dog chasing its tail. Claw beasts have very small brains-a limited intelligence.I made it to the beasts back and ran up the double spine, digging in with my knives so that it couldnt shake me off.It only took seconds to get up to the beasts head. But that wa s where the greatest trouble waited. My ice cutters were only about as long as your forearm, maybe. The claw beasts hide was twice as thick. I swung my arm down as hard as I could, slashing through the first lam of fur and membrane. The claw beast screamed and reared back on its hindmost legs. I almost fell.I lodged four of my hands into its hide-it screamed and thrashed. With the other two, I took turns cutting at the gash Id made. The skin was so thick and tough, I didnt know if I would be able to saw through.The claw beast went berserk. It shook so hard that it was all I could do to hold on for a moment. But time was running out for Harness Light. I shoved my hands into the hole and tried to rip it open.Then the claw beast threw itself backward onto the ice.If we hadnt been over its l mental strain, the pit it had dug to hide in, that would have depleted me. As it was, though it knocked me silly, the fall actually helped. My knives were already in the beasts neck. When I hit the ground, the weight of the beast drove my cutters deep through its skin. Deeper than I needed.We were both stunned I was half smothered. I knew I had to do something right away, but I couldnt remember what it was. The beast started to roll, dazed. The fresh air cleared my head, and I remembered Harness Light.Protecting him from the cold as well as I could in the soft side of my hands, I moved him from my egg pocket into the claw beasts neck.The beast got to its feet and bucked again. This time I flew off. Id let go of my hold to insert Harness Light, you see. The claw beast was infuriated. The break on its head wasnt nearly enough to kill it-just annoy it.The snow had settled enough that I was in plain sight, especially as I was painted with the beasts blood. Its a very bright show, a color you dont have here. It raised its pincers, and they swung toward me. I thought that was it, and I was comforted a little that at least I would die trying.And then the pincers hit the snow be side me. I couldnt believe it had missed I stared up at the huge, hideous face, and I almost had to well, not laugh. Bears dont laugh. But that was the feeling. Because that ugly face was torn with confusion and surprise and chagrin. No claw beast had ever worn such an expression before.It had taken Harness Light a few minutes to bind himself to the claw beast-it was such a big area, he really had to extend himself. But then he was in control. He was confused and slow-he didnt have much of a brain to work with, but it was enough that he knew I was his friend.I had to ride him to the crystal city-to hold the wound closed on his neck until we could reach a Healer. That caused quite a stir. For a while they called me Rides the Beast. I didnt like it. I made them go back to my other name.Id been staring ahead, toward the lights of the hospital and the figures of the souls crossing in front of those lights, as I told the story. Now I looked at Jared for the first time. He was gaping at m e, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open.It really was one of my best stories. Id have to get Mel to promise that shed tell it to Jamie when I wasTheyre probably finished unloading, dont you think? I said quickly. Lets finish this and get back home.He stared at me for one more moment, and then shook his head slowly.Yes, lets finish this, Wanderer, Lives in the Stars, Rides the Beast. Stealing a few unguarded crates wont present much of a challenge for you, will it?