A/N: ATTENTION! Final notice on the poll, and as of now its tied. So please, please, PLEASE vote on it, I'm keeping it up for one more week and if its still a tie I'm gonna have to flip a coin. This chapter is not super long, but I already have a plan and layout for the next chapter, you might even get it before next week.
That is all.
Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Host, however I do own all three Toy Story movies.
Eons In the Stars
Are you sure you know where you are? Jared asked for the eightieth time.
"Yes, I know where I am, and where I'm going." I answered.
Jared sighed. Can we discuss something?
"I don't see why you felt the need to ask. You know that you are going to do as you please." I said, with a somewhat annoyed tone that surprised even me.
A couple of hours outside of Salt Lake City is my childhood home. I'd like to visit it before you take me to die.
I thought about his request for a moment. What harm could come from going to visit his old home. Of course it would mean that I would be late for my meeting with the Seeker. Oh well.
Does that mean you'll go?
"Yes, I guess it's the least I could do for you."
No, the least you could do for me would be to let me go.
I ignored that last comment.
The town is in the Sonaran Desert.
"I am not very familiar with the geography in this part of the country." I remind him.
Just drive towards Arizona.
"Exactly how far into Arizona do we need to go?" I questioned.
Not that far.
"Okay, well when we get there you do know that I am going to need more specific directions, right?"
Yep.
"Jared, seriously. Can't you just tell me where we are going? I don't really care for these step by step directions. It would just be easier to tell me where we are going to end up."
You just need to relax. We only need to travel for a couple more hours.
"A couple of HOURS? You said that's how long it was going to take!"
Just relax. I think you'll really like it when we get there. I know I will.
"Well at least you know where there is!" I said back.
Whoa, easy there tiger. We'll get there eventually.
I resisted the urge to growl. Jared was making me hostile, and I didn't like this feeling.
We drove another three hours. Jared gave me turn by turn directions.
"Please tell me we are close." I begged. I was tired and getting hot, even with the air conditioner blowing in my face.
We will be there soon, now stop complaining.
"How long is soon?"
Soon means soon. Now shut up and pay attention to the road. You are making me a terrible driver.
"Jared, we have been driving for almost seven hours! You said it was only going to take a couple. In my experience a couple means two or three. Not SEVEN!"
Its going to be another three or four hours at least.
"WHAT?" I cried. "You said this was only going to take a few hours! You said-"
I know what I said, okay! But if I had told you how long it was really going to take you would have never agreed to take me!
"I am turning around and going to meet the Seeker like originally planned!" I exclaimed.
And what exactly are you going to tell the Seeker? Hmm? That your Host managed to trick you into driving eight hours out of your way to take him home one last time? You might as well finish the trip before going back and telling them that you got tricked.
"You…you…bad person!" I said.
Yeah, yeah. I know. I'm the bad person in this situation. Sure. Take this next exit. And you might want to
get gas at the next station. Its going to be mostly desert from here on out.
"Fantastic." I muttered. Jared laughed.
When I finally made my way to the next gas station I saw, Jared told me to grab water and Powerbars.
I went to grab three, but Jared stopped me.
You are going to need the whole box. And at least another two gallons of water.
"Why on Earth would I need that much?" I asked out loud, forgetting that I was in public. I think the cashier gave me a funny look.
Trust me, you are going to thank me later.
I just shrugged my shoulders and grabbed the box of Powerbars and another two gallons of water in addition to the one I already had.
"Will this be all?" The man behind the counter asked.
"Yes, sir." I responded.
I still think its weird that you guys don't pay for anything. Jared said.
We pay for everything with community service and helping others.
Still, I find it odd.
Five minutes and a full tank of gas later we were on the road again.
"Now where am I supposed to go?" I asked. We were currently in the middle of the desert just driving down a deserted road.
There is no where is to go but forward. He said like I was some sort of moron.
"I am aware of that." I said in an annoyed voice. The more time I spent alone with Jared the worse my attitude became.
That seems like a problem of yours.
I went back to being completely silent until I drove up to a stop sign. I could either continue to drive forward for God only knows how long, or I could turn into, wait did that sign say Howe Ranch?
"Your family owns a ranch?" I asked quietly.
Used to. He replied. I don't know that any of them are here anymore.
"Then why on Earth are we here?" I cried. "You made me drive for hours and hours just to come and see a ranch that may or may not even belong to your family anymore?"
He didn't respond for a moment. As if he were carefully choosing his words. I wasn't exactly truthful in my reasoning to come down here.
"I don't even know what to say to that." I said, my tone completely dumbstruck.
I needed to know that you cared enough about my family and myself to do something very important.
"Why am I worried about what you are going to ask me?"
I think I know where Mel and Jamie are.
I sucked in a quick breath. "Why are you telling me this? You know what I am obligated to do with that information when you tell me."
I was parked on the side of the road, my hands tightly gripping the steering wheel.
Just drive forward.
I don't know why I listened to him, but I did. Why did he have to tell me where they were? I didn't want to tell the Seeker where to find my-his family.
You don't have to. He told me.
"Yes I do. I am obligated to. It is my duty as a Soul to tell the Seekers where to find rogue humans."
Don't you see how brainwashed they have you? You are not OBLIGATED to do anything. You are your own person. Well, that's not the best way to put it but you get what I'm saying, right?
"No, not really."
You should be able to make your own choices. Not worry about what the Seeker or anyone else would want you to do.
"That doesn't seem natural." I said honestly.
He sighed. That is the point I am trying to make to you! It should be very natural!
"Will you please just tell me what I have to do?"
You probably won't like it."Just tell me, please." I almost begged.
We need to go find the humans.
A/N: Well there you have it! I am going to start writing the next chapter right after I post this one. And PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote on the poll. Seriously, its tied and that is not good. It is only going to be up until the 1/5/10 (unless I forget to take it down) so please vote for the gender you would like to see Mel and Jared have.
Leave me some love and you might get the next chapter on the same day the poll goes down.
