Quick AN: I don't actually know how I got this idea but while writing I was listening to the song Kiss Me by Jason Walker and I was also really influenced by the song Hey Lady by Thriving Ivory. So feel free to listen to those while reading. :3

The Mess That's Been Made

"You and I won't lose each other. I will always find you again. No matter how well you hide. I'm unstoppable at hide-and-seek."

"Will you give me to the count of ten?"

"Without peeking."

Jared was outside, lingering near the cave's entrance, thinking about the events that had unfolded that day. He knew it was dangerous but what else could go wrong? Jared quickly dismissed the thought, remembering how many things actually could go wrong. Jeb told him to get some rest but how was he supposed to when her body-Melanie's body, was so close? He knew that it wasn't her, he knew that it was one of those parasitic bastards. But why did Jeb bring it back? He knew that Melanie was his niece but it's not like she's actually still in there. That thing had taken over her body, her bones and it's using every single one of her limbs to walk this earth.

Seeing her today left him awfully confused about how he felt. He didn't want to feel the hurt or the ache or the shock of it, so he focused on the easiest emotion: anger. Anger at himself, for letting Melanie go on her own when they should've gone together, anger at the damn Seekers for being stronger in numbers, anger at whatever Soul was in her now and he even felt a little angry at Melanie, for breaking her promise. She promised that she would come back and yeah, you could technically say that she didn't but he was sure that she meant she would come back body, heart, and mind, not body, heart, and soul. He shoved the thoughts away, coming to the conclusion that anger wouldn't help at all.

He thought about how desperate Kyle and Ian were to get rid of it and Jeb's somewhat neutrality to it. How could Jeb leave a decision as big as this to him? He doubted that he was in any shape to make the right decision, let alone any decision. He thought, what would Melanie want? Well that answer was obvious, she'd rather be shot through her heart. She wouldn't want to be used as a puppet with the parasite, in full control, pulling all the strings. But even knowing that, the same question still remained. To kill or keep?

He then thought about the bruises and marks and the awful sunburn on her face. Everyone thought that it didn't bother him? Well of course it did! Just because it's some parasitic bitch in there, it doesn't change how he feels about her. He still wanted to be near her, to hold her, and to be able to protect her. Just because Melanie was gone, it doesn't change the fact that she belongs to him and him to her. He wouldn't let Kyle or Ian or anyone else for that matter lay a single hand on her. He will not let her be destroyed by them. If she was going to die, it would be at his hands and not anyone else's...

Jared then suddenly realized his mistake. Melanie was already dead. She didn't exist anymore. She was no longer in the air he breathed, in the space between the stars, she was lost and she could never be found. She was hiding and for once, he wasn't good enough at seeking. He imagined that she was in front of him and he breathed in her love into his lungs. She was in his lungs. Her love was in his lungs.

He let out a quiet breath and turned around, going back towards the caves. One final thought crossing his mind.

This game of hide and seek was over.