I kept staring at Burns, I tried to avoid it but my eyes weren't answering my brain, or at least the rational part of it. I couldn't understand how a soul would have started his life in the Fire World. Maybe he didn't know what he was doing, how he was ending another precious life when feeding himself, or maybe he did. Every soul now was terrified about the Fire World, we were all against it, so scared, and even so it all created a morbid curiosity in me, which I couldn't explain. It could be this human body, changing from Mel to Pet hasn't been an easy transition for me, I didn't understand my emotions completely yet, Pet was so different from Melanie.

Burns kept smiling whenever he caught me looking, he was sitting on a big wooden box, set aside in the cave, listening and even sometimes participating in the conversation Nate and Jared were having. Ian was still on protecting mode with me, just in front of me, while I kept peeking on Nate and Burns, so much curiosity for such a small body. Mel was beside Jared, happy as only she could be because of the discovery of more humans with an open mind, although maybe not as much as hers.

- Sorry Nate, it's not my decision to make to lead you to our main hiding place – Jared was so careful with his words, not letting anything slip away, not the smallest clue.

- Jared man, we've been walking for too long, too long even for us, we need water and a place to sleep. – Nate's green eyes were easily seen even in the dim light of the cave, they gave me the feeling of honesty he was really trying to express.

Jared stepped back and started walking in circles, he did that sometimes when he needed to think fast. However, it was Mel who had the idea

- What if… what if you guys stay here? I mean, we need to find some supplies before go back to the… to our place. We could do a short raid with Wanda while one of us stays with you here, until the rest come back.

I felt how Ian slowly froze into place

- I'm going with Wanda – He stated it, there was no doubt in his voice and no one could deny it.

I got closer to the rest of the group, with the aim of complaining, to say what a grown-up woman I am but I suddenly felt I was eight when I tripped over the smallest rock in the cave. Ian caught me before I fell to the ground.

- Thanks… - My voice reflected all the shame and self-pity I was feeling. But I was also thankful for the warm touch of Ian's hand on my arm, the grip turned into a half hug very comforting. I looked up to see his eyes, usually calmed I could see fire now. I followed his look, he was glaring at Burns.

Ian was the kindest human I've ever met, for that reason I guess he was as sympathetic as I was, he knew everything from the Fire World and he was already judging Burns. Well, from my point of view, he deserved part of this, how could he be calling himself "Burns Living Flowers" if he felt any guilt at all? I hated when I caught myself in this line of thinking, this body was so judgy.

My thoughts were interrupted by Jared, he was planning everything, giving orders, but he was not happy with the idea of leaving guests with one of us in our cave, endlessly waiting. Then he abruptly stopped talking, I saw how his mind was going so much faster than his mouth.

- No, sorry Mel. – He looked at her with an authoritarian look. – We'll do the following: Ian and Wanda will take the car and go on a small raid. Just Phoenix and you must return the day after tomorrow. Mel, you'll take the Jeep and go back to our place when it's dark, tell everything to Jeb and come back with the decision he makes. I will stay here with Nate and Burns. I'm sorry guys, it's not that I don't trust you, it's that… it's not my decision to make and we have too much to protect, too much people, too much… fake peace.

No one protested, we all started to follow the orders, knowing that probably it was all for the best, Jared always knew better.

Ian and I got in the car, I gave him an old-fashion pair of sunglasses, we should get some new ones on our raid. Our raid. Together. Alone. In a hotel. I was already nervous and we were still in the cave. My body led me fast through images of sexy lingerie, soft caresses and breath-taking kisses. Ian noticed it.

- Wanda, hon, are you ok? You seem nervous. If you don't want to do this we can always do it some other time, with others, more protected.

- No Ian, I'm ok… I can never be more protected than I already am with you. I'm not nervous because of the raid… - I blushed and started to play childishly with the edge of my skirt. He then understood everything

- Oh, but Wanda, we already sleep together at home. It will be the same… if you want to.

Then I realized that we both had been thinking about it, thinking about a more intimate place, a more romantic moment, pretty clothes, candles, roses, champagne… My imagination was flying and even though I could still feel the heat on my cheeks I wasn't feeling shy anymore, again this ferocious curiosity.

- I… I am not sure Ian, maybe I want – I couldn't look him in the eyes but I saw how he tensed up a little and caressed my cheek.

- Don't worry, honey – Then he kissed my forehead and started the engine.