The Host Chapter 36: Believed

The congregation relaxed, and a more than enthusiastic murmur ran around the half circle.I looked at Jamie. He pursed his lips and shrugged. Jebs entirely try to grasp things back to normal. Its been a bad orthodontic braces of days. Burying WalterI winced.I saw that Jeb was grinning at Jargond. by and by a moment of resistance, Jared sighed and rolled his eyes at the strange erstwhile(a) man. He turned and strode quickly from the cave.Jared got a new ball? soulfulness asked.Cool, Wes said beside me.Playing games, Trudy muttered, and agitate her head.If it eases the tension, Lily responded quietly, shrugging.Their voices were low, close beside me, provided I could as intimately hear other, louder voices.Easy on the ball this time, Aaron said to Kyle. He stood all all everywhere him, offering his hand.Kyle took the offered hand and got slowly to his feet. When he was standing, his head al more or less buck the hanging lanterns.The last ball was weak, Kyle said, grinning at the older man. structurally deficient.I nominate Andy for captain, someone shouted.I nominate Lily, Wes called out, getting to his feet and reach.Andy and Lily.Yeah, Andy and Lily.I deprivation Kyle, Andy said quickly.Then I get Ian, Lily countered.Jared.Brandt.Jamie got to his feet and stood on his toes, trying to look tall.Paige.Heidi.Aaron.Wes.The roll call continued. Jamie glowed when Lily chose him before half the adults were taken. Even Maggie and Jeb were picked for groups. The numbers game were even until Lucina came back with Jared, her two small boys bouncing in excitement. Jared had a shiny new soccer ball in his hand he held it out, and Isaiah, the older child, jumped up and down trying to knock it from his hand.Wanda? Lily asked.I shook my head and pointed to my leg.Right. Sorry.Im inviolable at soccer, Mel grumbled. Well, I used to be.I freighter hardly walk, I reminded her.I call Ill sit this one out, Ian said.No, Wes complained. Theyve got Kyle and Jared. Were dead(p) without you.Play, I told him. Ill Ill keep score.He looked at me, his lips pressed into a thin, potent line. Im non genuinely in the mood for playing a game.They hold you.He snorted.Cmon, Ian, Jamie urged.I want to watch, I said. only it will be boring if one team has too much advantage.Wanda. Ian sighed. You really are the worst liar Ive ever met.But he got up and started stretching with Wes.Paige set up goalposts, four lanterns.I tried to get to my feet-I was business in the middle of the field. Nobody noniced me in the dim light. both around, the atmosphither was upbeat now, charged with anticipation. Jeb had been right. This was something they needed, odd as it awaited to me.I was capable to get onto all fours, and thence I pulled my good leg transport so I was kneeling on the bad. It hurt. I tried to skip over up onto my good leg from in that respect. My balance was all off, thanks to the cumbrous weight of my sore leg.Strong hands caught me before I could collide with on my impudence. I looked up, a little rueful, to thank Ian.The words caught in my throat when I saw that it was Jared whose arm held me up.You could bewilder just asked for help, he said conversitionally.I - I cleared my throat. I should have. I didnt want toCall attention to yourself? He said the words as if he were truly curious. There was no accusation in them. He helped me hobble toward the cave entrance.I shook my head once. I didnt want to protract anyone do anything, out of courtesy, that they didnt want to do. That didnt explain it exactly right, but he regainmed to understand my meaning.I dont think Jamie or Ian would begrudge you a part hand.I glanced back at them over my shoulder. In the low light, uncomplete had noticed I was gone yet. They were bouncing the ball off their heads, and express mirth when Wes caught it in the face.But theyre having fun. I wouldnt want to interrupt that.Jared examined my face. I complete I was smiling in affect ion.You care about the kid kind of a bit, he said.Yes.He nodded. And the man?Ian is Ian believes me. He watches over me. He crapper be so very kind for a human. close to equivalent a soul, Id wanted to say. But that wouldnt have sounded the likes of the laudation it was to this audience.Jared snorted. For a human. A more important distinction than Id realized.He bring low me to the lip of the entrance. It made a shallow bench that was more contented than the flat floor.Thank you, I told him. Jeb did the right thing, you know.I dont agree with that. Jareds tactile sensationing was milder than his words.Thank you also-for before. You didnt have to defend me.Every word was the truth.I looked at the floor. Its true that I would never do anything to hurt anyone here. Not on purpose. Im low-spirited that I hurt you when I came here. And Jamie. So sorry.He sat down right beside me, his face thoughtful. Honestly He hesitated. The kid is rectify since you came. Id sort of forgotte n what his laugh sounded like.We both listened to it now, echoing above the lower pitch of adult laughter.Thank you for telling me that. Its been my biggest worry. I hoped I hadnt disgraced anything permanently.Why?I looked up at him, confused.Why do you admire him? he asked, his voice still curious but not intense.I bit my lip.You corporation tell me. Im Ive He couldnt find the words to explain. You can tell me, he repeated.I looked at my feet as I answered. In part because Melanie does. I didnt peek to gather up if the name made him flinch. com typeseter memory him the way she does thats a powerful thing. And then, when I met him in person I shrugged. I cant not honor him. Its part of my the very makeup of these cells to love him. I hadnt realized before how much influence a swarm had on me. mayhap its just human bodies. Maybe its just Melanie.She dialogue to you? He unplowed his voice even, but I could hear the strain now.Yes.How often?When she wants to. When shes interes ted.How about today?Not much. Shes kind of mad at me.He barked out a surprised laugh. Shes mad? Why?Because of Was there such a thing as double jeopardy here? Nothing.He heard the lie again and made the connection.Oh. Kyle. She wanted him to fry. He laughed again. She would.She can be violent, I agreed. I grind, to soften the aggravate.It was no insult to him. Really? How?She wants me to fight back. But I I cant do that. Im not a fighter.I can see that. He touched my beaten-up face with one fingertip. Sorry.No. Anyone would do the same. I know what you moldiness have felt.You wouldnt -If I were human, I would. Besides, I wasnt thinking of that I was call up the Seeker.He stiffened.I smiled again, and he relaxed a little. Mel wanted me to throttle her. She really hates that Seeker. And I cant find it in myself to blame her.Shes still searching for you. Looks like she had to return the helicopter, at least.I unlikable my eyes, clenched my fists, and concentrated on breathing for several seconds.I didnt used to be afraid of her, I whispered. I dont know wherefore she scares me so much now. Where is she?Dont worry. She was just up and down the highway yesterday. She wont find you.I nodded, willing myself to believe.Can you can you hear Mel now? he murmured.I kept my eyes closed. Im sure of her. Shes listening very hard.Whats she thinking? His voice was just a whisper.Heres your chance, I told her. What do you want to tell him?She was cautious, for once. The invitation unsettled her. Why? Why does he believe you now?I opened my eyes and found him look at my face, holding his breath.She wants to know what happened to make you different now. Why do you believe us?He thought for a moment. An accumulation of things. You were so kind to Walter. Ive never seen anyone but Doc be that compassionate. And you keepd Kyles flavor, where most of us would have let him fall just to nurture ourselves, intend murder aside. And then youre such an appalling liar. He laughe d once. I kept trying to see these things as evidence of some grand plot. Maybe Ill wake up tomorrow and feel that way again.Mel and I flinched.But when they started attacking you today well, I snapped. I could see in them everything that shouldnt have been in me. I realized I already did believe, and that I was just being obstinate. Cruel. I think Ive believed since well, a little bit since that send-off night when you put yourself in scarer of me to save me from Kyle. He laughed as if he didnt think Kyle was dangerous. But Im reveal at lying than you are. I can even lie to myself.She hopes you wont change your mind. Shes afraid you will.He closed his eyes. Mel.My heart thudded faster in my chest. It was her joy that sped it, not mine. He essential have guessed how I loved him. After his questions about Jamie, he moldiness have seen that.Tell her that wont happen.She hears you.How straightforward is the connection?She hears what I hear, sees what I see.Feels what you feel?Yes.H is nose wrinkled. He touched my face again, softly, a caress. You dont know how sorry I am.My skin felt hotter where he had touched it it was a good heat, but his words burned hotter than his touch. Of course he was sorrier for hurting her. Of course. That shouldnt baffle me.Cmon, Jared Lets goWe looked up. Kyle was calling to Jared. He seemed utterly at ease, as if he had not been on trial for his life today. Maybe hed known it would go his way. Maybe he was quick to get over anything. He didnt seem to notice me there beside Jared.I realized, for the scratch time, that others had.Jamie was ceremonial us with a satisfied smile. This probably looked like a good thing to him. Was it?What do you mean?What does he see when he looks at us? His family, put back together?Isnt it? Sort of?With the one unwelcome addition.But better than it was yesterday.I guessI know, she admitted. Im glad Jared knows Im here but I still dont like him touching you.And I like it too much. My face tingled w here Jareds fingers had brushed it. Sorry about that.I dont blame you. Or, at least, I know I shouldnt.Thanks.Jamie wasnt the only one watching.Jeb was curious, that little smile crowd up the corners of his beard.Sharon and Maggie watched with fire in their eyes. Their expressions were so much the same that the new-fangled skin and bright hair did nothing to make Sharon look young than her grizzled mother.Ian was worried. His eyes were tight, and he seemed on the verge of coming to protect me again. To make sure Jared wasnt upsetting me. I smiled, to reassure him. He didnt smile back, but he took a deep breath.I dont think thats why hes worried, Mel said.Are you listening to her now? Jared was on his feet but still watching my face.His question distracted me before I could ask her what she meant. Yes.Whats she saying?Were noticing what the others think of your change of heart. I nodded toward Melanies aunt and cousin. They turned their backs on me in synchronization. high-risk nu ts, he acknowledged.Fine, then, Kyle boomed, turning his body toward the ball that sat under the brightest ghost of light. Well win it without you.Im coming Jared threw one wistful glance at me-at us-and ran to get in on the game.I wasnt the best scorekeeper. It was too dark to see the ball from where I sat. It was too dark even to see the players well when they werent right under the lights. I began counting from Jamies reactions. His shout of victory when his team scored, his groan when the other team did. The groans outnumbered the shouts.Everyone played. Maggie was the goalie for Andys team, and Jeb was the goalie for Lilys. They were both amazingly good. I could see their silhouettes in the light from the goalpost lamps, moving as lithely as if they were decades younger. Jeb was not afraid to hit the floor to stop a goal, but Maggie was more effective without resorting to such extremes. She was like a magnet for the unseeable ball. Every time Ian or Wes got off a shot thunk I t land in her hands.Trudy and Paige quit after a half hour or so and passed me on their way out, chattering with excitement. It seemed impossible that wed started the morning with a trial, but I was relieved that things had changed so drastically.The women werent gone long. They came back with arms mount of boxes. Granola debar-the kind with fruit filling. The game came to a halt. Jeb called halftime, and everyone hurried over to eat breakfast.The goods were divvied up at the center line. It was a mob cyclorama at first.Here you go, Wanda, Jamie said, ducking out of the group. He had his hands full of the bars, and water bottles tucked under his arms.Thanks. Having fun?Yeah Wish you could play. abutting time, I said.Here you go Ian was there, his hands full of granola bars.Beat ya, Jamie told him.Oh, Jared said, appearing on Jamies other side. He also had too many bars for one.Ian and Jared exchanged a long glance.Wheres all the food? Kyle demanded. He stood over an empty box, h is head swiveling around the room, tone for the culprit.Catch, Jared said, tossing granola bars one by one, hard, like knives.Kyle plucked them out of the air with ease, then jogged over to see if Jared was holding out on him.Here, Ian said, shoving half of his haul toward his brother without looking at him. Now go.Kyle ignored him. For the first time today, he looked at me, staring down at me where I sat. His irises were black with the light shtup him. I couldnt read his expression.I recoiled, and caught my breath when my ribs protested.Jared and Ian closed ranks in front of me like stage curtains.You heard him, Jared said.Can I say something first? Kyle asked. He peered down through the space between them.They didnt respond.Im not sorry, Kyle told me. I still think it was the right thing to do.Ian shoved his brother. Kyle reeled back but then stepped forward again.Hold on, Im not done.Yeah, you are, Jared said. His hands were clenched, the skin over his press white.Everyone had noticed now. The room was hushed, all the fun of the game lost.No, Im not. Kyle held his hands up, a gesture of surrender, and spoke to me again. I dont think I was wrong, but you did save my life. I dont know why, but you did. So I figure, a life for a life. I wont kill you. Ill pay the debt that way.You stupid jackass, Ian said.Whos got the crush on a worm, bro? You gonna call me stupid?Ian lifted his fists, leaning forward.Ill tell you why, I said, making my voice louder than I wanted to. But it had the effect I was after. Ian and Jared and Kyle turned to stare at me, fight forgotten for the moment.It made me nervous. I cleared my throat. I didnt let you fall because because Im not like you. Im not saying that Im not like humans. Because there are others here who would do the same. There are kind and good people here. People like your brother, and Jeb, and Doc Im saying that Im not like you personally.Kyle stared at me for a min and then chuckled. Ouch, he said, still laughing. He turned away from us then, his message given, and walked back to get some water. Life for a life, he called over his shoulder.I wasnt sure I believed him. Not sure at all. Humans were good liars.