"Still here?" ha asked. His hand intertwined with mine, our fingers locking, behind these bars we were held behind. The bars to the cages, the cages for hosts while their Yeerks were soaking up Kandrona.
"Obviously," I said, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. "I thought you'd be long gone, at least a year ago. Have forced that evil little slug out.
He smiled. "Not yet," he said, "not yet." But he said it so firmly, you thought he had to have tried, and he was going to get out soon.
This was only one of our many meetings. I met Will- precious Will- behind these bars so long ago. I had grown up with that slug- I barely remembered how to walk. Five years I had been hers- six to eleven. She saw me grow up. We were close, but I hate her. I hate her for what she is.
Will and I's Yeerks were on the same feeding schedule. Had been for three years. The only reason it happened was because it gave us hope. And Yeerks so enjoy ruining hope.
A single tear ran down my cheek.
He wiped it away so gently. "Don't give up. Ever," he whispered. I nodded.
A Hork-Bajir came in and took him away, to the pier. As his fingers were ripped from me, he called back.
"Never. NEVER! HOPE! Hope is all you have. Hope!" he called as he fought. As he was forced into the pool, I saw him stop resisting. I saw him stand- but not him. I knew his Yeerk was in control.
He looked my way again, but this time it wasn't him. He smirked as he- no, his Yeerk, Adriss 253, saw the tears running freely down my face.
And as a Hork-Bajir took me, this time, I fought harder than ever before. Screaming, crying, cussing, yelling, biting, clawing, and everything else as I was dragged. And still Will watched. I knew his Yeerk was enjoying the resistance- and enjoying his host's pain so much.
As my head was forced into the sliming muck, I heard jeers. Yeerks had enjoyed the show… and humans, REAL humans, had seen me almost escape… and applauded me for it.
The Yeerk took control.
(Hope, what did you do this time?)