Chapter One

As the stars began to shine over the desert, we neared the place I now could comfortable call my home. I felt that Jeb would be interested in hearing about our raid tonight. Could you believe it? Others found homes among the humans. I wasn't the only one. I knew, that if given the chance others like myself who felt compassion for these life forms who felt so much more than any of us could ever have hoped for, would be able to get along easily with humans. After all, it is not us who had done so much harm in the past.

When the vehicles stopped, I let go of my grasp with Ian and turned to help the others unload everything. It had been a successful trip and I cannot say it enough that I am happy to have been able to help. I guess I just felt like it was the best way to help everyone here who had helped me. I grabbed a lighter box since this body is still fairly weak, though I am proud to say I am slowly building up her muscles.

I smiles at Ian as he made sure I could carry it and followed the line of people heading inside. It seemed like we were a line of ants carrying food inside our own little home below ground. I stepped inside and saw Jeb. He clapped me around the shoulder. No matter how long I am under here, I still don't think I will ever truly be comfortable with him doing that.

"Glad to have you back Wanda! Some of us have been getting a little restless around here and I think some of your stories might do the trick of entertaining them again," he said cheerfully before going to greet the others. I turned around just in time to see Sunny running up and hugging Kyle. I smiles at the thought before finding my own waist being held by two similar hands.

"Glad to be back?" I asked Ian who leaned down to kiss me on the cheek. I rubbed it afterwards. He hadn't shaven in a while and though the feeling was similar to the hair of other creatures I have been, it still felt uncomfortable on my human skin. I nodded afterwards knowing that was the reaction he wanted.

Despite the several raids I have been on at this point, he was still overly cautious of me. I loved him all the more for the protection, but sometimes he just got too carried away. He smiled and removed his hands, placing them back at his side.

"Good, because I brought back a surprise this time." The look on his face was suspicious, but before I could ask what he meant, Jeb came back in with Mel and Jared. "So what's this I hear about another soul?" he said to me.

"Oh, right. Well, while we were out we ran into some people. When we realized they were other humans, it was so cool. Then right when they were all looking at Wanda and Ian was all protecting her, they had one too! It was a guy, though. The two of them started talking and then we couldn't stay much longer. But the best part is, that there are others, Uncle Jeb!" chimed in Jamie before anyone else had a chance to explain as he came around the corner from the main area.

Jeb rubbed his chin with one hand. "Well of course there are," he said smoothly. It seemed to me like nothing ever phased him. That in part, or at least I think so, is what made him such a good person to lead this community.

Ian headed back to take a shower along with several of the other males, so Mel and I headed to the kitchen. It had been a while since we really talked and as our stomachs were in the process of grumbling rather loudly in protest to the lack of food that had been eaten, the kitchen seemed like the best place to go.