2. Split Up

Wanda's POV

We walk around in the woods for a while. Ian didn't want to go to the park or along the road. He wants to stay as far away from the souls as possible. Partly because every single soul knows who he is, because he has been on the news all the time. But apart from that, I thought that after he was released from the souls, that he'd might get better after a while. But he is only getting worse. The nightmares are tearing him up. I feel so helpless.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask and begin to stroke his hand.

"Nah," he says and frowns. "It's the same old, you know. He beats me up, and keeps going and going... until he tears me apart somehow."

Ian looks at me. I can see the pain he is trying to hide in his eyes. He tries to smile at me, but looks away again.

"Wanda," he says. "I have to leave you."

I stare at him, a little hurt. "No," I simply say and take both of his hands in mine.

"But I am putting everybody in danger!" He says, a little louder than he'd normally speak. He is angry with himself. Actually, he is angry with him self all of the time. He keeps blaming himself for the fact that we had to leave the caves, and he blames himself for his brother's death. Now he blames himself for something that hasn't even happened.

"You can't keep blaming yourself for everything, Ian," I say.

"Why can't I? It's my fault, isn't it?" He says frustrated.

"How can anything be your fault, Ian?"

"Because I got caught!" He says angry. His grip around my hands is getting tighter.

"Ian..."

He looks down at my hands and let them go immediately. "I'm sorry, Wanda. I didn't mean to-"

"Shh. It's okay."

We begin to walk again, and this time his grip around my hand is soft and warm.

When we get back to the motel about two hours later, when the sun is starting to rise, Ian stops outside the door.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Shh," he says and lays his finger to his mouth.

"She can choose for herself," Jeb says. I listen closer, even though I feel awful eavesdropping.

"Alright, then," Brandt says bitter. "Who do you want to go with?"

I push Ian aside and walk inside. "Are we splitting up?" I almost shout as I get in.

Jeb looks up at me from the sofa. "Wanda, you need to understand-"

"That we don't want Ian along anymore," Trudy finishes with a sharp voice. Melanie and Jared stands in the corner, like they have given up on this. They know that we have to split up.

"What?" I say, almost angry, but my voice fails.

"You can go along with him, you know," Trudy says. "But for me, I'd rather not. I don't want to get caught because of his nightmares." She looks at Ian with a pleading look "I'm sorry, Ian, I know this is hard for you and all, but it's too risky."

"No, it's fine. I understand," he says.

"I don't believe you, Trudy!" I say. She looks shocked.

"Wanda..." Trudy pleads, trying to make me understand somehow. But I don't. Ian has been nothing but good to these people ever since he came, and they just stab him in the back.

"Then I'll go with you," I say.

"But what if-"

"No. I'll go with you. End of discussion." I decide.

"If it's okay with you," Sunny's tiny voice says, and everybody looks at her. She has barely spoken in days. Ever since Kyle was killed she has been oddly silent. But it is very understandable. She loved him. "If it's okay with you, I'll go with Ian and Wanda."

I nod and smile at her. Ian does the same. "Okay, Sunny," he says. "But if I get caught, don't get in their way," he says warningly.

"Same goes for you Wanda. Just run, or lie or..."

"We'll be fine, Ian," I assure him.

Ian's POV

Finally, after everyone else has been in the bathroom, I've gotten my long lost shower. After I've dried my hair I put the towel around my waist and walk out to the main room.

As the sun is rising higher and higher, the room gets less crowded. Jared, Melanie, Brandt, Sunny, Jeb, Trudy, Wanda and me, all sleeping in the same motel-room, well... Can't say I've gotten too much privacy.

The others from the caves are probably in another city, already on the move. They've also probably had enough sleep. I could use a good nights sleep for a change. Can't remember last time I didn't fear falling asleep. The nightmares won't go away.

We had to go in different directions, so we wouldn't gain any unnecessary attention. I keep wondering where Kyle is; California, Oregon, Ohio... But then I remember; he is dead.

As I am about to change my shirt, someone comes in, and I hear a tiny gasp behind me. It's no louder than a quick inhale, but I can still hear it. I begin to shake at once, and quickly starts to plan an escape. Through the window, maybe? Is it even possible to open?

Maybe I have to fight the soul off, kill it before it can contact the Seekers. The soul will know I am human when I turn around.

I look behind me, ready to jump on the soul, but it's only Trudy. Thought I would be relieved, but I feel rather irritated. She is still staring at my back, but moves her eyes over to my chest when she sees the same burn-marks there.

Every single time I take off my shirt or drag my sleeves up, someone sees my scared skin and just have to make sure I see their reaction. At least that's how it feels like. Or maybe the scars just scare them. But I am getting pretty sick of the "big surprise" they seem to get.

"What?" I ask irritated. "It's not like you haven't seen it before."

She looks offended, but tries to get a softer expression at once. "Actually, Ian, I haven't. I... I didn't know it was-"

"So bad?" I cut her off. "Trudy, I know that you can't stand the fact that I can't control myself, and I get it. But please, just leave me alone."

She looks sad at me, and takes her bag to carry it out in the car. I know I was being mean to her, but she hasn't exactly been my best friend for the past couple of days. It's like I'm the new alien. And she doesn't want me here.

"What was that about?" Jared says as he comes back in. He doesn't even take a quick look down at my scars. I appreciate that.

"Nothing. But I actually think it's for the best that Trudy and I won't be traveling together," I admit.

"Look, Ian, I could go with you if you-"

"No, it's fine. Really. You are safer without me. And you have to look after Melanie, right?" I say and smile to him.

"All right, then," he says. He picks up a few bags that lies on the bed and throw them over his shoulder. "Time to go."