Jared
"Jared are you sure this is wise? Mel is going to be very upset with us when we return." Wanda's sweet voice chimed.
"Yeah, and we all know what an upset Mel looks like." Ian shuddered, probably remembering the last time he pissed her off.
"Wanda, you're not going on this one either." I said, loading the last of the raid supplies onto the truck. Ian and I had discussed it earlier, and we were both concerned with the state of Wanda's health in the early stages of her pregnancy. Her slight frame could handle more than we usually gave her credit for, however she has been getting sick too frequently and too violently for any sort of raid. In her place, we intended to take Sunny and Kyle.
"What do you mean I'm not going?" Wanda said, her face becoming red with her displeasure. "Why can't I go?"
"Someone needs to stay with Mel and try to explain why we didn't go without her. On top of that, we are just concerned about your current state of...physical wellness." Ian tried to explain, but struggled to convey his worry.
"Physical wellness?" Wanda questioned, raising one delicate, blonde eyebrow. "I'm pregnant, not sick. I'm still perfectly capable of walking around a grocery store and putting items in a cart. Speaking of which, how exactly do you plan on accomplishing this raid without me?"
"Sunny." I replied still loading the truck. "She has been following you around for months, watching how you interact with the other Souls and how you handle a sticky situation. We think she's ready." In all honesty, I was scared shitless of how Sunny would do on her own. But if I was going to ask everyone else to let a capable raider like Mel to stay behind, I should give the same courtesy when Ian asks for it.
Wanda didn't seem convinced. I could see it in her eyes, and I was willing to bet that Ian saw the same thing. The raid should be simple, if everyone did their jobs correctly. Only five of us were going; Ian, Brandt, Kyle, Sunny and I. While Sunny was inside, getting the backup generators the rest of us had other jobs. Brandt and Kyle were going to be hiding in the cargo truck in the parking lot of the always busy Outlet Mall. During this time, Ian and I, donning sunglasses and our perfectly crafted scars would grab some other necessities.
"What if something goes wrong and Sunny panics?" she questioned. "What if she gets you all in trouble."
"We believe she can do it." Ian said, but I could sense a little apprehension in his voice. Hell, I was nervous too. I didn't want to leave Melanie or Jack, not again. But I knew it was necessary for the sake of the community. We needed more generators. Ours just weren't cutting it on their own anymore.
"It's not fair though!" Wanda suddenly cried, her usually fair skin turning a light pink. "You and Jared just can't go around making the decisions for Mel and I. We are our own people, and forcing us to do something we don't want to, and not telling us is cruel."
"Sound mighty familiar don't it?" Maggie's sour voice sounded from behind us. We all turned around to face her, just in time to see her smirk, drop the last box of supplies and walk away without another word.
Ian and I shot two glances at each other, the first filled with anger, the second with worry. I think we were both hoping that Wanda didn't really take what Maggie said to heart. It took nearly three months of constant reassurances that Pet's host didn't rouse, and that everyone-sans Maggie and her small band of followers-wanted her here. When a few seconds passed and her facial expression didn't change, I believed she had let it go. Sadly, no such luck.
"Oh God," Wanda groaned, "She's right! The other souls and I are doing this exact same thing but on a much larger and more horrific scale!" She began to pace and run her hands through her hair, creating a mess of her blonde curls. Ian moved to stop her, but she threw her hands up to stop him. "What kind of world is my kind creating for future kids? How are Jack and Freedom and Liberty going to grow up? What about our kids?"
"Wanda, honey, you are one of us, not one of them. You see that what has happened and recognize the negative effects of it." Ian rationalized. "You understand what the others don't. Our child will know what good intentions the Souls had, but how dire the consequences were. It will know that you and every other Soul here, belongs here."
Wanda still didn't look convinced. I looked to Ian to see how he wanted to handle it, and saw him looking at her in a familiar way. In a way that I look at Melanie. I knew then, that it was my time to leave, and look at my girl like that. Like I knew everything about her, like I never want to leave her.
Like I will leave her tonight.
Melanie
I woke up almost an hour earlier than usual, my mind filled with images and sounds from the night before. I decided to take a few minutes to reminisce about one of the most intense sexual experiences of my life before getting out of bed.
"Hey baby," Jared murmured, stepping into the room and quietly shutting the door.
"Hi," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. Before the kiss could become too intense, as they usually did when Jared and I are left alone, I pull away to inquire about our son.
"He's with his Uncle Jamie tonight. So I can be alone with his momma." His words were sweet and simple, but his tone spoke so much more. I shivered in anticipation. "It's been forever since we've been alone together."
As he spoke his lips moved down my throat and across my collarbone making my response breathless. "I-it's been four days." Jared's sexual appetite has only increased with age. At thirty three, he's still on the younger side of the spectrum but a little older than many here.
"As I said: forever." A grin accompanied his confident response.
"You know, we can't just keep handing him off to our friends and family." I tried to make my words strong even though my legs were shaking with anticipation, and my breathing uneven.
"Mmhmm," he murmured, lips moving back up my throat while he pulls my tank top over my head and throws it to the floor. Before I know it, my bra is joining my top.
"We need to-" my words were immediately cut off by his lips. I stopped fighting him, knowing that there wasn't a point. We both know this is what we wanted. Jared's skilled fingers unbuttoned my jean shorts, and slid them down my legs, his lips never leaving my skin. He kissed his way down my body until he was on his knees, his mouth pressed against my belly. His fingers dancing on the edge of my panties. My breath hitched loudly when his fingers hook into the side of them, and he slowly pulled them down.
My hands flew into his hair once his fingers found my center. His hands know my body so well, in a matter of minutes I fell to pieces, my legs shaking so hard he had to grab my hips to keep me from falling over. He led me to our bed and laid me on my back, then fell into the space between my legs. I was still panting and shaking from my first orgasm when he entered me, a loud moan emanated from a place deep within me, a place where only Jared has been.
Jared held himself up by his elbows, pressing our bodies as close together as possible. He pressed his face into my neck, and kissed the place behind my ear that drives me wild. I cry out when he changes his angle. Jared reached up so our hands intertwine. His thrusts were deep and slow, making me whimper in pleasure with every withdrawal. I'm so close, the pressure in my body is almost too much.
"Baby," he moans, "let go. Just let go." His breath is hot against my face and neck. His thrusts becoming harder and faster. Hearing his voice makes me come undone. I'm slightly afraid of our neighbors hearing my scream of pleasure, but I don't care enough to stifle it.
Jared isn't quite as close as I was, he continues to thrust and groan. Before I know it, I'm edging closer toward the cliff that is my third orgasm. When I reach it, I can't even make a noise. My back arches and my whole body clenches. This time, Jared is right behind me, moaning his release into my ear. He lowers his body nearly on top of mine, and I wrap my arms around him to keep him there.
"I love you."
"I love you."
Eventually, he rolls us over, his chest against my back his softened length still inside me. We fall asleep that way, still connected and occasionally murmuring our love.
I know something isn't right the second my mind becomes conscience. I can't feel Jared pressed against my back, his arm around my waist, his breath on my neck. I feel around his side of the bed, and feel nothing. The sheets are cold. My heart drops to my stomach. Instinctively, I know he hasn't just gone for food, or to get Jack.
He did it. He really did it, he left me.
Just before total panic sets in, I notice a piece of folded paper on the small dresser next to Jack's bed. I quietly walk over to it, noticing that Jared must have gotten Jack from Jamie before he left. Our son is on back, his chest rising and falling name is written on the paper in Jared's handwriting. My heart pounds as I open it.
Melanie,
Please forgive me for leaving without telling you. It hurts me as much as it hurts you, but I did it because of the little boy sleeping right next to me. A little boy who worships the ground you walk on and lives to see you smile. I know you don't see it, but the rest of us do. I've taken Ian, Brandt, Kyle and Sunny. We won't be gone long, and I hope that by the time I return that you will have forgiven me. But I understand if you don't. I know that you will probably hate me for a while, and that is something I will have to live with. I understand that you hate to have decisions made for you, but sometimes it's for the best.
I love you, baby.
Jared
My first instinct was to be angry, the second was to cry. However a third took over when I heard the sounds of Jack waking. The mother in me knew that Jared was right, and that I needed to care for Jack and see to his well being instead of crying about not being included on a raid. Jack was my main priority. That didn't ever change, even when Jared was here. So why should his absence affect the way I act as a parent? I was not going to lose myself like I did the last time Jared went without me. I couldn't recognize the girl I became then. A girl who gave up on her responsibilities because she couldn't handle her emotions. I was not going to be that girl again.
Jack deserved better.
It was with that set in mind that I began my day. First dressing myself, then Jack who was filled with questions on the whereabouts of his father. Then we were off to the kitchens for breakfast. At first, I could ignore the stares, I knew I deserved them after the way I handled Jared's absence previously, however, after an entire breakfast without the one person who could fully calm me, I set off to find the next best person, who was shockingly absent from breakfast this morning.
After two sharp knocks, I pushed my way into Wanda and Ian's room. "Wanda," I sighed when I saw her cradled in her bed.
"Wan-a," Jack echoed. I smiled at him and kissed his head before setting him down on Wanda's bed and handing him a stuffed animal.
"Did Jared say goodbye?" She whispered, poking her head out of her blanket-nest.
"In a roundabout way, I guess." I sighed, shaking my head. "He left a note for me. I don't think he wanted to spoil our last night together."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." she mumbled. "I knew what they were planning, and I was going to tell you, but then Ian and Jared informed me that I wouldn't be going either and I just lost it. They didn't want me to go because I'm pregnant, and they didn't want you to go because of Jack. They are keeping us locked up so we can care for their children."
I laughed, "They're men. It's what they do."
Wanda sat up and stared at me, "I'm surprised you aren't more upset by this. I thought you would be furious."
I gave a shrug, "I have decided to be calm until they return. When I know they are home safely, then I will get mad."
"Ma!" Jack squealed. "Me!" Trying to get me to pay attention to him.
"What about you my handsome boy?" I asked, picking him up and nuzzling his cheek.
"Kiss!" I pressed my lips to his cheek and gave an exaggerated kiss. In return, he planted one on mine as well.
We ended up spending the the better part of the morning in Wanda's cave, merely chatting about nothing. Around ten, I knew I needed to get Jack to the school so I could get to my chores.
Collapsing into bed that night, I pulled Jared's pillow into my side, inhaling his scent. I sent a prayer to him and whatever power was listening.
"Come home soon."
I was impressed with The Host and felt that this story deserved to have it's second chapter released. I hope you enjoyed.
All of the mistakes are my own, and I apologize for them.
Please let me know what you thought.
