The Host Chapter 46: Encircled

Jamie started to sit up.Easy thither, kid. How you facial expressionin? Ian moved to press Jamies shoulders against the mattress.I feel re both last(predicate)y good. Why is of either timey unitary here? I dont rememberYouve been sick. Hold still so we female genital organ finish fixing you.Can I have some water?Sure, kid. Here you go.Doc was staring at Jamie with disbelieving eyes.I could tho talk, my throat was so tight with joy. Its the No Pain, I mutte loss. It feels wonderful.Why does Jared have Sharon in a learning abilitylock? Jamie talk to Ian.Shes in a bad mood, Ian stage-whispered back.Hold precise still, Jamie, Doc cautioned. Were deviation to clean out your injury. clear?Okay, Jamie agreed in a small go. Hed noticed the scalpel in Docs go bys. He eyed it warily.Tell me if you can feel this, Doc said.If it hurts, I amended.With practiced skill, Doc slid the scalpel gently by dint of the diseased skin in one swift movement. We both glanced at Jamie. He was sta ring straight up at the grubby ceiling.That feels weird, Jamie said. plainly it doesnt hurt.Doc nodded to himself and brought the scalpel down again, making a cross cut. Red blood and dark xanthous discharge oozed from the gash.As soon as Docs hand was clear, I was spraying Clean back and off crosswise the bloody X. When it hit the oozing secretion, the unhealthy yellow seemed to sizzle silently. It began to recede. Almost ilk sweat hit by a spray of water. It melted. Doc was breathing fast beside me.Look at that.I sprayed the area twice for good measure. Already the darker red was gone from Jamies skin. All that was left was the normal red color of the human blood that flowed out.Okay, Heal, I muttered. I found the right canister and tipped the gnomish spout over the gashes in his skin. The clear liquid trickled in, coating the raw flesh and glistening there. The shed blood stopped wherever the Heal spread. I poured half the container-surely twice as much as was postulate-i nto the wound.Okay, draw the edges together for me, Doc.Doc was speechless as this point, though his mouth hung wide. He did as I asked, use two hands to get both cuts.Jamie laughed. That tickles.Docs eyes bulged.I smeared Seal across the X, watching with tardily satisfaction as the edges fused together and faded to pink.Can I see? Jamie asked.Let him up, Ian. Were more or less done.Jamie pulled himself up on his elbows, his eyes bright and curious. His sweaty, dirty hair was matted to his head. It didnt make sense now, nigh to the healthy glow of his skin.See, I put this on, I said, brushing a handful of glitter across the cuts, and it makes the scar very faint. Like this. I showed him the one on my arm.Jamie laughed. But dont scars impress girls? Where did you get this stuff, Wanda? Its identical magic.Jared excessivelyk me on a raid.Seriously? Thats awesome.Doc touched the glistening powder residue on my hand, thusly held his fingers to his nose.You should have seen her, Jared said. She was incredible.I was surprised to hear his voice close bathroom me. I looked around for Sharon mechanically and on the nose caught sight of the flame of her hair leaving the room. Maggie was right behind her.How sad. How frightening. To be filled with so much hate that you could not even rejoice in the healing of a child How did anyone ever come to that point?She walked right into a hospital, right up to the alien there, and asked them to treat her injuries, bold as anything. Then, when they turned their backs, she robbed them blind Jared made it sound exciting. Jamie was enjoying it, too his smile was huge. Walked right out of there with medical specialty enough to last us all for a long time. She even waved at the bugger behind the counter as she drove a agency. Jared laughed.I couldnt do this for them, Melanie said, suddenly chagrined. Youre of more value to them than I would be.Hush, I said. It was not a time for sadness or jealousy. Only joy. I wouldnt be he re to suspensor them without you. You saved him, too.Jamie was staring at me with big eyes.It wasnt that exciting, really, I told him. He took my hand, and I squeezed his, my heart swollen with gratitude and cheat. It was very easy. Im a bugger, too, after all.I didnt mean - Jared started to apologize.I waved his protest a carriage, smiling.How did you explain the scar on your human face? Doc asked. Didnt they wonder why you hadnt -I had to have fresh injuries, of course. I was careful to leave them nil to be suspicious about. I told them Id fallen with a knife in my hand. I nudged Jamie with my elbow. It could happen to anyone.I was really flying high now. Everything seemed to glow from inside-the fabrics, the faces, the very walls. The crowd inside and outside the room had begun to grumble and question, barely that noise was just a ringing in my ears- equivalent the lingering sound after a bell is struck. A shimmer in the air. Nothing seemed real provided the little circle of citizenry I relishd. Jamie and Jared and Ian and Jeb. Even Doc belonged in this perfect moment.Fresh injuries? Ian asked in a flat voice.I stared at him, surprised at the anger in his eyes.It was necessary. I had to hide my scar. And learn how to heal Jamie.Jared picked up my left wrist and stroked his finger over the faint pink line a few inches supra it. It was horrible, he said, all the humor suddenly gone from his sober voice. She about hacked her hand off. I persuasion shed neer use it again.Jamies eyes widened in horror. You cut yourself?I squeezed his hand again. Dont be anxious-it wasnt that bad. I knew it would be healed quickly.You should have seen her, Jared repeated in a low voice, still stroking my arm.Ians fingers brushed across my cheek. It felt nice, and I leaned into his hand when he left it there. I wondered if it was the No Pain or just the joy of saving Jamie that made everything warm and glowing.No more raids for you, Ian murmured.Of course shell go out a gain, Jared said, his voice louder with surprise. Ian, she was absolutely phenomenal. Youd have to see to really understand. Im only just beginning to guess at all the possibilities-Possibilities? Ians hand slid down my neck to my shoulder. He pulled me closer to his side, away from Jared. At what cost to her? You let her closely hack her own hand off? His fingers flexed around the top of my arm with his inflections.The anger didnt belong with the glow. No, Ian, it wasnt like that, I said. It was my idea. I had to. Of course it was your idea, Ian growled. Youd do anything You have no limits when it comes to these two. But Jared shouldnt have let you -What other(a) way was there, Ian? Jared argued. Did you have a better plan? Do you think shed be happier if she was unhurt but Jamie was gone?I flinched at the hideous thought.Ians voice was less hostile when he answered. No. But I dont understand how you could sit there and watch her do that to herself. Ian shook his head in disgust, and Jareds shoulders round-backed in response. What kind of a man -A practical one, Jeb break up.We all looked up. Jeb stood over us, a spacious cardboard box in his arms.Its why Jareds the best at getting what we sine qua non. Because he can do what has to be done. Or watch what has to be done. Even when watchings harder than doing.Now, I have intercourse its closer to breakfast than supper, but I figured some of you havent eaten in a while, Jeb went on, changing the subject without subtlety. Hungry, kid?Uh Im not sure, Jamie admitted. I feel real hollow, but it doesnt feel bad.Thats the No Pain, I said. You should eat.And drink, Doc said. You need liquids.Jeb let the cumbersome box fall onto the mattress. Thought we might have a bit of a celebration. Dig in.Wow, yum Jamie said, pawing through the box of dehydrated meals of the sort that hikers used. Spaghetti. Excellent.Dibs on the garlic chicken, Jeb said. Ive been missin garlic quite a bit-though I guess no one misses it on my breath. He chuckled.Jeb was prepared, with bottles of water and several portable stoves. People began to gather around, mash together in the small space. I was wedged between Jared and Ian, and Id pulled Jamie onto my lap. Though he was much too old for this, he didnt protest. He must have sensed how much both of us needed that-Mel and I had to feel him alive and healthy and in our arms.The shimmering circle seemed to widen, enveloping the entire late-night supper party, making them family, too. Everyone waited contentedly for Jeb to prepare the unexpected treats, in no hurry. Fear had been replaced by relief and happy news. Even Kyle, bland into the small space on the other side of his brother, was not unwelcome in the circle.Melanie sighed in contentment. She was vibrantly certified of the warmth of the boy in my lap and the touch of the man who still stroked his hand against my arm. She wasnt even retrousse by Ians arm around my shoulders.Youre feeling the No Pain, too, I teased her.I dont think its the No Pain. Not for either of us.No, youre right. This is more than Ive ever had.This is so much of what I lost.What was it that made this human love so much more desirable to me than the love of my own kind? Was it because it was exclusive and capricious? The souls offered love and acceptance to all. Did I crave a greater challenge? This love was tricky it had no nonindulgent rules-it might be given for free, as with Jamie, or earned through time and hard work, as with Ian, or completely and heartbreakingly unattainable, as with Jared.Or was it simply better somehow? Because these humans could hate with so much fury, was the other end of the spectrum that they could love with more heart and zeal and fire?I didnt know why I had yearned after it so desperately. All I knew was that, now that I had it, it was worth every ounce of risk and agony it had cost. It was better than Id imagined.It was everything.By the time the food was prepared and consumed, the late-or rather early-hour had gotten to us all. People stumbled out of the crowded room toward their beds. As they left, there was more space.Those remaining slouched down where we were as room became available. Gradually, we melted in place until we were horizontal. My head ended up pillowed on Jareds stomach his hand stroked my hair now and then. Jamies face was against my chest, and his arms were around my neck. One of my arms wrapped around his shoulders. Ians head was cushioned on my stomach, and he held my other hand to his face. I could feel Docs long leg stretched beside mine, his raiment by my hip. Doc was asleep-I could hear him snoring. I may have even been touching Kyle somewhere.Jeb was sprawled on the bed. He belched, and Kyle chuckled.Nicer night than I was plannin for. I like it when pessimism goes unrewarded, Jeb mused. Thanks, Wanda.Mmm, I sighed, half asleep.Next time she raids Kyle said, somewhere on the other side of Jareds body. A big yawn interrupted his sentence. Next time she raids, Im coming, too.Shes not going out again, Ian answered, his body tensing. I brushed my hand against his face, trying to soothe him.Of course not, I murmured to him. I dont have to go anywhere unless Im needed. I dont mind staying in here.Im not talking about care you prisoner, Wanda, Ian explained, irritated. You can go anywhere you want as far as Im concerned. Jogging on the highway, if youd like that. But not a raid. Im talking about keeping you safe.We need her, Jared said, his voice harder than I treasured to hear it.We got by fine without her before.Fine? Jamie would have died without her. She can get things for us that no one else can.Shes a person, Jared, not a tool.I know that. I didnt say that -S up to Wanda, Id say. Jeb interrupted the argument just as I was about to. My hand was holding Ian down now, and I could feel Jareds body shifting under my head as he prepared to get up. Jebs words froze them in place.You cant leave it up to her, Jeb, Ian protested.Why not? Seems like shes got her own mind. S it your job to make decisions for her?Ill classify you why not, Ian grumbled. Wanda?Yes, Ian?Do you want to go out on raids?If I can help, of course I should go.Thats not what I asked, Wanda.I was quiet for a moment, trying to remember his question to see how Id gotten it wrong.See, Jeb? She never takes into account her own wants-her own happiness, her own health, even. Shed do anything we asked her to, even if it got her killed. Its not fair to ask her things the way wed ask each other. We stop to think about ourselves. She doesnt.It was quiet. No one answered Ian. The silence dragged on until I felt compelled to speak for myself.Thats not true, I said. I think about myself all the time. And I I want to help. Doesnt that count? It made me so happy to help Jamie tonight. Cant I find happiness the way I want to?Ian sighed. See what I mean?Well, I cant tell her she cant go if she wants to, Jeb said. Shes not a prisoner anymo re.But we dont have to ask.Jared was very quiet through all this. Jamie was quiet, too, but I was pretty sure he was asleep. I knew Jared wasnt his hand was tracing random patterns on the side of my face. Glowing, burning patterns.You dont need to ask, I said. I volunteer. It really wasnt frightening. Not at all. The other souls are very kind. Im not triskaidekaphobic of them. It was almost too easy.Easy? Cutting your -I interrupted Ian quickly. That was an emergency. I wont have to do that again. I paused for a second. Right? I checked.Ian groaned. If she goes, Im going, too, he said in a bleak tone. Someone has to treasure her from herself.And Ill be there to protect the rest of us from her, Kyle said with a chuckle. Then he grunted and said, Ow.I was too tired to lift my head to see who had hit Kyle now.And Ill be there to bring you all back alive, Jared murmured.