Disclaimer: I do not own The Host.
A/N: Well here's the next chapter. Glad I remembered to put it up (: Enjoy.
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7. Confrontation
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And I did. I lay back down, "Just get some rest." She whispered and I did as I was told.
I turned my head to the cold rock wall and closed my eyes.
That night I had a horrible dream. I found myself standing in the middle of the dessert. There was nothing but sand and dried plants and the sun sitting in the middle of the sky. My body was tired and I kept walking. It felt as if I had been walking for days and I felt an intense thirst. I had no idea where or when I would get there but I felt these horrible eyes looking at me the whole way. They just kept starring at me with hate and judging me with unfairness but when I turned to look at them they were gone.
Then out of the dry air I heard it, my name. I turned around and there stood my mom and dad. They held smiles on their faces. I knew those smiles were just for me.
"Mom?" my voice cracked.
My mom shook her head a little, "Sophie, baby where have you been?" and opened her arms to me. "We've been looking every where for you." Dad added.
I began to walk towards them, "I don't know mom, momma, I don't know. I think I've been here all along. Where have you been?"
Mom smiled, "We haven't gone anywhere baby." But the more I walked to her I could never get any closer.
Then I heard my name again, "Sophie." I turned around and found Wanda standing there smiling at me as well. "Wanda?" I was a little confused. "Wanda what are you doing here?"
She giggled, "Sophie, where in the world did you go?"
I shook my head even more confused, "I've been here. I've been here the whole time."
"Well let's go home now." She lifted her hand up to me. I starred at it for a while and then turned to my parents. They were still smiling and behind them I could see our two-story home with the green grass and the white picket fence. Through the window I could see a face with a pair of cold eyes. They sent chills down my spine.
When I looked back at Wanda I could see a large mountain like a peek or something under the bright sun.
"Dinners ready." My mom said but I stepped closer and they stepped back. I tilted my head. "Mom?" but she ignored me and started a conversation with my dad. I looked back at Wanda who still stood there with her hand out to me and a precious smile on her angelic face. I took a step towards her and without realizing it I was right in front of her. "Ready to go home?" She asked. "Yes." I answered her without thinking and took her hand. "Let's go." She smiled and while we walked away I looked back and saw my parents standing there still smiling as they watched me go. And the more Wanda and I walked the closer we got to the peek and the cooler it got and then I couldn't feel those eyes watching me, judging every single part of me.
It was so weird how I chose to go with Wanda instead of my parents. All I wanted was to go home but somehow I felt safe when I took Wanda's hand. I felt accepted.
"Sophie." Jared practically barked at me snapping me from my dream.
What a nice way to wake up in the morning, right?
Wrong.
I had awoken to find almost everyone in the room- apperantly waiting for me to wake up- there was Wanda, Melanie, Doc, Ian and Jared.
I groaned inside. What did they want now? It was bad enough to be in this horrible place that smelled like wet soil, plastic gloves and old tools. But I also had to deal with these humans. This is just so frustrating.
I sat straight up and scurried to the end of the wall once again. My back had become used to the jagged rock wall by now. "Jared, don't be so rough with her, please." Wanda practically ordered at him but it was hard to see her angry or annoyed. I looked at her and then to him. His eyes were filled with annoyance and his patience had worn out.
"So I know you think you're a Soul but seriously, kid, you gotta get things straight."
I averted my eyes from him and looked away down to the floor. I didn't want to make eye contact with those silver-less eyes.
I didn't understand. Why couldn't Jared just leave me alone? What was his deal anyway? Did he like picking on defenseless girls? Did he get kicks out of this or did he just enjoy life picking on things that shouldn't even matter. If he was so concerned about me being a Soul he just order to let me go. It would be the easiest thing to do and it would save the both of us so many problems.
"I don't know what kind of make-believe life you were living over there with those Souls but it stops here." His voice was unsympathetic and it pained to hear it.
"Dude, don't be so harsh." Ian butted in but Jared just brushed him off. "Do you hear me?" he demanded. I didn't say anything.
"Jared that's enough." Ian came to my rescue again. "No, she has to answer. I know she can hear me, she's not deaf."
"Dude, you're scaring her, that's enough."
But Jared wouldn't stop.
Not being able to face them any longer I buried my face in my arms and tried to keep away from everyone's stares but their eyes were glued on me in concern. I could feel them trying to look for any reaction and it was embarrassing. I hated being in the spotlight, especially when it was like this.
"C'mon we know you can talk." Said Jared a little too impatient after completely ignoring Ian's orders to leave me alone.
I could feel his eyes burn my skin and it annoyed me. I had no clue on how much longer I was going to keep dealing with him and his attitude.
But stubborn as I was I turned my head to the wall and everyone seemed to sigh.
"I don't think she wants to talk." Ian spoke softly almost in a whisper. "And she has the right not to at the way Jared's speaking to her. You know Jared, you're a real ass when it comes to things like this." Melanie said to him.
"Oh, she will talk…and I'm not being an asshole Mel, she just has to see the truth and stop living her life a complete lie. It's sad and the longer she lives this way the longer she's going to keep us in danger." Jared cut in stepping closer to my dirty cot. Funny how it became mine after days of use, it probably reeked of me and who ever lay here last. But no matter how much I hated this damn cot it somehow became a place of safe haven. As long as I sat here with Wanda in the room I felt like nothing could happen to me. It was my only space in this place where I could relax and Jared had just popped my bubble and invaded it like some kind of Godzilla lizard.
Just then those words struck and something within me snapped. I raised my head from my arms and met him eye to eye. Everyone else stood in silence.
The fact was- Jared did scare me but it didn't mean he got to control me or my actions. It didn't mean he got to decide what I did and where I belonged. Jared was no one to me. Not even a friend. He didn't have any authority over me what so ever. True, he had brought me here and I was terrified of him but I was getting tired of living in fear.
I felt the audacity shove its self back in to me and I glared at him, "You don't own me, Jared." I practically hissed at him saying his name in complete disgust.
Jared's eyes grew wide for a moment and he took a step back, chuckling soon after. "So I see you found your human attitude." His voice leaked with complete sarcasm.
"I am not human." It felt as if I had repeated those words at least a million times. Jared crossed his arms looking down at me as if I was an ant and he a kid with a magnifying glass ready to burn my limbs off and laugh with evil satisfaction.
"Stubborn, aren't you?"
"If I need to be- yes." The words slipped right out of me. I couldn't believe this. It was as if someone else had taken over my body but I felt no one else in this body but me. It was my body and no one else's.
"Good. 'Cause so am I. Now, this is where you belong and this is where you'll stay." The words gritted through his teeth.
I glared at him; "No, I'm going home." and stood from the cot. Everyone in the room seemed to panic a little at my small out burst. And to be completely honest, I panicked at my new boldness. I would never sum up the courage to stand up to a room full of humans but here I was glaring deep in to the eyes of one. Wow, I really wanted to get myself killed. I mean, speaking out was one thing but standing up was another. And the strange thing was I have never been as angry as I am now. This man named Jared provoked something well within me that caught on fire and boiled my blood.
"Oh no you're not." Jared blocked my way. Who did he think he was? Honestly!
"Sophie, calm down." Wanderer took my hand and sat me back down, "You belong here."
I shook my head, "No." I felt my eyes begin to water. "No, Wanda. I don't belong here in these black caves. I belong out there with my family."
"Those Souls aren't you're family!" Jared snapped and I flinched at his cold words.
He lied. Jonathan and Renee Stark were my family. Renee Stark conceived, carried and gave birth to me. She was my mother. And Jared couldn't say anything about it.
"They are. And I don't care what you say. I'm going home and you can't stop me!"
"Oh, can't I?" he took a step forward.
"What's going on here?" asked an old voice and I looked up to see the man with the old beard.
"Uncle Jeb." Melanie stated a little surprised at his sudden appearance.
I looked at the man as he made his way over to me with an amusing smile plastered on his gleeful face, "Well sleeping beauty finally awoke." He joked but his tone was tender and his eyes shinned with friendliness.
"How you feeling there, Sophie?" he asked me directly.
"Sophie here wants to return home." Jared said trying to calm himself down. I shot a bold glance at him again but looked away quickly, ashamed of this new sass I was obtaining.
"Ah, is that true?" he turned back to look at me.
I nodded.
"Well, why don't you come take a walk with me and we'll talk about it."
Wanderer smiled almost giddy with the idea. I think she knew what Jeb was up to.
"Jeb I-" Jared was about to cut in but Jeb waved his words away with a hand. "It'll be fine, Sophie won't run away, huh Sophie?" he beamed at me.
I found myself shaking my head slowly but would I really make a run for it? Was I really that bold?
"And if she did- she wouldn't be able to find her way out." Ian mused lightly.
Apperantly I wasn't that bold. Thanks Ian.
"See? She's fine. Nothing to worry about my boy." He patted Jared's shoulder. How could he not be afraid of that man? I was- that and annoyed.
"Fine Jeb, but she's your responsibility now." Jared warned.
"I really don't think she'll make a run for it." Wanderer said looking up at Ian.
"Alright then. Nothing more said, let's go kid." He beckoned me to follow him.
I hesitated a bit but hurried on after him as I noticed the pressure of everyone's eyes on me.
Jeb took me out the dreaded room I had been in for so long. I followed closely after him reminding myself to keep my hands on the cave walls and not trip. I don't think Jeb had as much patience as Wanderer did.
After a moment of silence Jeb finally spoke, "Don't mind Jared there. He's a little bit shook up on the count of you wanting to run back to those Souls."
I glared at the thought of Jared keeping me prisoner here. Jeb laughed making me jump a bit, "You don't like him very much, huh?"
I didn't answer him, just kept my eyes on the darkness below me.
"C'mon now, kid, I know you have a voice." He glanced to look at me, "Heard it on the way here." Then I remembered Wanda saying I could trust him.
"H-he's mean." I found my voice once again. Jeb laughed at this, "There ya go, kid. See? Ya got a pretty voice there don't let it go to waste."
Was that a compliment? Yes, I think he had just complimented me.
"But don't hold a grudge against him, see, he's just looking out for ya." Jeb explained as he led me in to another dark tunnel.
"Hah!" my sass came out once more before I tripped on my own feet and covered my mouth totally ashamed at my outburst. But Jeb laughed again- louder this time. "You don't believe me, ey? No worries. You got time."
I frowned at his words. Time. Why was that everyone's answer? Well if I never spoke up I would never find out.
"Time. Why does everyone say that?" I asked trying to look for an answer on the cave walls. Jeb thought about it for a moment. I didn't think he was going to answer me until he broke the silence in a low voice, "Time cures a lot of things kid. Pain, loss, hatred. Time can cure anything." He chuckled lightly, "And in your case, you need time to except reality."
"Reality?" I shot a glance at him. He nodded, "Yes sir. Kid, you need time to accept who you really are and deny who you are not."
I tilted my head a bit and frowned. Why did I need to accept myself? I knew who I was. I didn't need these humans telling me otherwise "I know who I am." My voice was a low whisper. Almost sullen with sadness.
"Do you now?" Jeb challenged.
"Yes." I held my ground stopping in the darkness, "I'm a Soul."
I could see Jeb try to smile, "You really believe that don't you?"
"Yes. I do."
He took a deep breath, "Listen kid, you may be Sophie Stark but you ain't no Soul. I'll tell you that much." His words were daggers cutting through me and I immediately felt the anger they provoked in me. I was growing tired of these strangers telling me- no- forcing me to believe I'm something I'm not.
"I am a Soul…" the words escaped my lips in a small whisper barely noticeable in the air. Jeb patted my back and I flinched at his touch, "No worries kid. Give it some time."
Time! There it was again! I didn't need time! I needed to get out of here. That's what I needed.
"And let's see if we can get Wanda and Melanie to work on your people skills." He kept on walking.
"My- my people skills?" my question stuttered and I followed after him not wanting to be left behind.
He nodded once, "Yeah, can't live life being afraid of what you are. And socializing is a good way to break the ice."
"Socializing? Ice?" I asked a little too confused.
He chuckled, "You'll catch on soon enough."
I stopped, "Soon enough…"my voice lingered in the dark air.
"C'mon now. Can't have you getting lost. Keep up."
I looked up and made my way back to Jeb- tripping with every step I took.
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A/N: Jared's such a jerk, huh. However, his bluntness is really getting Sophie out of her shell and finally starting to actually speak up. Great job, Jared. Thumbs up.
-Autumn Skyy
