Disclaimer: I don't own The Host. Only Stephenie Meyer does. Only do I own is Maecella and Aiden.
When I woke, I surprisingly clear headed. I knew where I was, well sort of. I kept my eyes closed and my breathing even. I want to figure out as much as I can before whoever is out there realizes I'm awake.
My stomach growled loudly. I like it was trying to rat me out. I didn't worry, it was probably growling in my sleep judging by how loud it was. Although it was uncomfortable. I was so hungry. It was to the point of pain in my stomach every time it growled. It sounded like a chainsaw roaring to life.
My head was still throbbing. That barely changed. Whether it was from the blow I took earlier or from my lack of eating, I don't know. Either way it was still thumping rhythmically. I think I could feel the pulse of my heart beat in my head.
My back and hips were so sore. I was lying on some hard surface. It was very rough, but it was flat. My hips were twisted to the side and my back was lying flat. The way my body was angled must be why it was aching so much. That and the tiny pebbles of rock digging into my skin. The pain in my body is probably what woke me. I felt like I could sleep another twenty hours. However long I was unconscious did nothing to help. I was far from feeling rested.
I was light out. Not bright like in the big room I was in before, but enough that under my eyelids it was just faintly red. I saw it in one eye more than the other.
The air had gotten a little more humid. It wasn't as hot as the desert. But it was musty, not dry like the desert. It was slightly uncomfortable to breathe in, there was a peculiar taste clinging to the back of my throat. All the water Uncle Jeb had given me was sweating its way out of me.
I could feel my breathing being pushed back in my face. I must be facing a wall.
Remembering Uncle Jeb's cavern system, I figured I was in one of the holes in the rock. The dark purplish-brown one that looked like it was riddled like Swiss cheese. I doubt they would leave me out in the open.
It was fairly quiet; the only sounds were my breath and my stomach growling angrily. I was afraid to open my eyes to look and make sure. I strained to hear any other sounds, but all I could hear was silence. I could hear no sign of anyone there. But that made no sense what so ever. Why would they leave me here with no one guarding me? Not even someone who wanted to kill me. This was not like humans. They did not trust me; they feared me and hated me. They wouldn't leave me alone.
My throat seized up. Oh, no. They wouldn't leave me alone unless they thought I was dead. Or that they were making sure I would be. That there were places in these caves that no one came back from.
A dozen scenarios raided my head. Me, in some cave, celled up to a point to where I would never be able to escape. Or at a bottomless hole, never being able to climb out, no one to hear my screams. Or locked at some room that kept on heating and heating and heating, it would never stop; it would keep boiling me from the inside out. My heart raced against my chest and my breathing got much harder. I search for a sign that my air was running out. My lungs were filled with air that was building up into a scream. I bit my tongue to keep it from making its way out.
Something sharp grated across the ground above my head.
I shrieked and my eyes flew open. I whirled around. My arms drawing up to protect my face and the back of the head thumping hard against a wall.
The room was slightly dimmed; there was a small lamp resting in the corner of the room by the door. I was wrong about being in one of those Swiss cheese like holes. I was lying on a flat surface; it was raised up from the ground. It looked like a flat bench, but was much wider and not nearly as comfy as the wood would have been compared to this hard rock.
Jared was leaning over above me, his eyes were full of anger, his lips were clenched tight and I could see a vein pulsing in his forehead. He had one arm reached out above me.
He stayed leaned over me, not moving, just staring angrily at me as my fearful expression waned and heart stopped trying beat its way out of my chest. He continued to glare at me and I stared at him also. I remember how quiet he could be when he wanted. Like a lion spying on his prey before lunging and taking it down. It was no wonder I heard nothing.
Well, up until a minute ago I heard nothing. But I had heard something. Jared extended his arm again and the loud grating noise repeated. I turned my head up and above me head was a broken sheet of plastic. And on it was…
Water! I sat up and lunged for the opened bottle. I didn't care for the moment that Jared's mouth twisted in disgust. I'm sure it would bother me later, but right now, the water had my full attention. Oh, nothing had ever tasted so good in my life. Well, maybe not in my life, but from the moment on, I would never take water for granted. Ever.
Jared walked away from me. Disappearing almost fully from my sight. But I could see just a little piece of his shirt from my peripheral vision. He was by the lamp; his body shaded the light from the room a little.
I had finished half of the water by the time a new scent hit my nose. I looked down at the tray.
Food? They were feeding me?
There was bread, a roll, it was dark and uneven, but it looked glorious. It smelled glorious too; it was what caught my nose. There was a bowl of clear watery soup; it had the smell of onions in it. I leaned closer and saw dark chunks at the bottom. Beside the bowl there were three stubby white tubes. I guessed they were vegetables, but I didn't know what kind. I've never seen them before.
It only took me a few seconds to make these discoveries, and my stomach growled angrily at me for taking even that amount of time.
I ripped into the bread first. It was closest and smelled the best. It had whole grains that got stuck in my teeth and was gritty, but it had a wonderfully rich flavor. The smushed Twinkies had nothing on this. It tasted so good. My jaw was working over time, but I ended up just swallowing half chewed pieces. They settled uneasily in my stomach. My stomach was too empty for such a heavy food.
It was uncomfortable, but I ignored it. My hunger was too great. I moved onto the soup. It went down much easier. The taste was mild despite the strong onion smell. The green chunks were soft and spongy. I tipped it back and drank straight from the bowl. When I finished it, I wished there was more. I tipped it back farther, making sure even drop was finished.
The three white tubes had a woody taste and were very crunchy. Probably some type of root. It was not a satisfying as the soup or the bread, but I was grateful for their bulkiness. It filled my stomach just a little more. But I still wasn't satisfied. I wanted more and if I could have, I probably would have started eating the tray. I settled with finishing the last of the water.
I didn't realize that they weren't supposed to be feeding me until I finished everything. Were they trying to stuff me for the doctor? Had Jared lost that argument? Though, if he did, why would he be guarding me?
I slid the tray away from me, slightly sad that more food didn't magically appear. The sound of it screeching across the floor made me cringe. When I pushed it far enough, I leaned back against the wall and wrapped my arms around my knees. Jared reached from where he was sitting to retrieve it.
"Thank you." I whispered. He did not respond. He didn't even look at me.
I placed my forehead on my arms so I couldn't stare at him. I couldn't even see the little bit of his sleeve as I did before. It was so quiet. I couldn't even hear his breathing. Only my own. I could remember the sound of his breathing being calming to Melanie. Just like the sound of Aiden and Maecella breathing was calming to me.
My head shot up. Aiden and Maecella! Oh! How could I forget them? How could I not realize that they were not with me? But where are they? My eyes ran over the room. Making sure I didn't fail to see a stroller or a piece of it. Not even anything. But they were not here. Where were they? Surely Jared wouldn't leave them with those barbarians would he? If not him, then Uncle Jeb would protect them.
"Where are my babies?" I asked before I could stop myself. And what surprised me was that my voice held no weakness to it. It wasn't strong because it was rusty from not using it for a while, but the question was firm. What was I doing? Did I want to get hit again? But then I realized, I didn't care if Jared hit me again. I would take ten hits if it meant I knew my children were safe.
"They're fine." Jared said curtly.
Was he telling the truth? Or was he just lying to keep me quiet?
I'm sure they're fine. Melanie assured.
There you are. I was beginning to wonder where you ran off to. I thought you were going to leave me with this mess.
She ignored sarcastic tone. I still can't believe he hit me. She was still in surprise. While I was surprised for a moment, I got over it quickly.
He didn't hit you. He hit me. He doesn't know you're in here, remember?
But still. He hit my body. I don't think I would have been able to do that. No. Never.
Yes, you would have. It's in your human nature. Which is why I wasn't surprised he hit me. Of course he would have hit me. I took away his love. Or so he thinks, at least.
No. I don't think I could. Not Jared and Jamie. Even if they were….changed. I don't think I could. She pictured it, then immediately stopped. It pained us both to imagine hitting Jamie.
It's different with him. You practically raised him. You were almost his mother. Mothers here are too emotional.
Mothers are emotional no matter what. Even to you Souls. Melanie grumbled.
She was right about that. I remember laughing or crying whenever one of them did something new. Though the crying was for them growing too fast. It still seems like I had them a week ago. I am very emotional with my kids. Which is why I am concerned since I don't know where they are or who has them.
I'm sure they're fine Wanderer. Jared won't let anything happen to them. She was convinced of this.
If you're sure. Even though I wasn't. I was going to worry until I saw them again.
My mind started to run through scenarios. How things are going to happen. How I was going to keep Aiden and Macey and myself alive. Truly, I didn't know my own fate. They want me dead, so what is going to stop them from killing me? But, then again. They don't just want me dead. They want information from me. Information I would have to die for. They would try to torture it out of me. But, could I succeed in keeping it locked in my mind? I have never felt pain like these humans have, like they know how to inflict. How much pain could I handle before I give it up or before they finally decide to kill me? And it's probably not a good idea that they are giving me food. They were trying to get me strong.
You know, I felt…something… when he hit you. Melanie interrupted. She said every word slowly. Like she was having a hard time saying them.
Me too. He's got quite the backhand doesn't he? It surprised me how easily sarcasm was coming to me. I was picking up too much of Melanie's traits.
No. Not like that. She lost her words for a long moment. Then they tumbled out. I thought I was in control of our feelings for him. I thought it was all me.
You thought that you were controlling my feelings for him. That you were the reason for me bringing us here.
Yes. She said, but paused again. I waited until she spoke again. It was rushed again. You're in love with him. Separately from me. In your own way. I didn't fully realize that until we came here and you saw him.
Well, it's your fault.
But you're an alien. Not even the same species.
My body is human. I have human feelings. And with the memories of him. As I said, it's your fault. I warned you to stop showing me your memories.
I know. She grumbled. But there was something else behind it. Something I couldn't place. Do you love Jamie, too?
Yes. Of course I do. I may not have met them in person, but I met them through your memories and I can't help but love them. I just do. My love is different from yours. But I love them none the less.
Huh. Is all she said. She wanted to see Jamie. Though she knew I wouldn't ask. I didn't want to get hit again. It was one thing to risk getting hit for my kids because I didn't know for sure if Jared would protect them. But with Jamie, I know Jared has taken care of him.
But I yearn to see him too. To know that he really is safe. I know Jared would have kept him safe, but my love for him wanted to see for myself. I wanted to hold him in my arms. To make sure he was healthy and that they were feeding and caring for him the way Melanie never would be able to again. The way I wanted to, the way the mother in me wanted to. Did some sing to him at night? Hold him? Wipe away his tears when he has a nightmare? Would Jared do that? The old one would. But would this angry new Jared?
Do you think they will tell him we're here? With kids? Melanie asked.
Would that help him? Or hurt him?
I don't know. She whispered. I just wish I could tell him I didn't break my promise. That I kept it.
Boy did you ever. I replied.
My body was tired again. But I was still filled with worry that I knew I would never be able to sleep. I still had no idea where Aiden and Macey were and it kept my mind wide awake. I shut my eyes. I know Jared said they were fine, but I still couldn't make sure of that myself and it was driving me crazy.
My thoughts were interrupted by my worst fear.
Suddenly sharp cry rang through the air. My head jerked up. It was familiar, but yet not one I heard often. It rang out again. Loud. In distress.
No!
"Maecella!" I cried.
Author's Note: Well, here it is. Surprise, surprise. It's early. It shocked me too. Since I have this out early, I'm still going to try to have the next one on Saturday, but if not I'll try to have it on Sunday.
Some of you have been asking, so just to remind you, this is a Jared and Wanda story.
Let me know what you think as always. Reviews are lovely.
If you want. You can follow me on Twitter at BethDee90. I check every day, but I don't write that much. I might let you know something on there, might not. But you can always contact me on there too. As well as FanFiction. I check both every day. If you are a guest to FanFiction, you can write me your questions on Twitter and I will answer them, so you don't have to wait until I write the next chapter. It's your choice, just putting the option out there.
In response to LuckyDuckyPomluv: Thank you. I'm glad you like the story. Yes, Ian will be in here. But Ian and Wanda will not be together. As for how it will affect Wanda, well, you're going to have to wait and read like everybody else. :)
-BethDee
