Chapter 10 – Revelations

Wanda tried her best to not tremble when the Humans put the blindfold on her. Up to this point she, Ian, Melanie, Lacey, Nate and Burns had been led through a complicated route in the tunnels. Wanda seriously doubted she could have been able to return on her own. They had walked in near darkness. The rebel Humans of Chicago didn't use large flashlights like the ones Nate brought. They only used small penlights to navigate the tunnels.

With the blindfold on what little light available became cut off. Wanda wondered about the need of the blindfold, she and the others were already hopelessly lost. Nate must have felt the same as she heard him say, "Do we really need the blindfolds? I haven't a clue where we are."

A chorus of people answered him with a single word: "Yes."

When found by the rebel Humans of Chicago, Ian explained who they were and the purpose of their mission to their leader, Marc Walters. Marc listened but remained cautious. He didn't seem to know what to make of these Humans and Souls, who blundered their way into his home. Marc told them his people would travel to a safe place, but also made it clear Ian and the others didn't have a choice in the matter.

A strong hand wrapped around her left arm and pulled her along. Memories of when Jeb found her and Melanie in the desert came flooding back and she found herself afraid. Now, like in the desert, she found herself being led along to an unknown location by humans with unknown plans for her. She wished she was with Ian; he would be worried about her. The tension built-in her slim body and she felt an emotional tremor run through her as they walked along.

"Don't worry," said a low voice near her left ear. "We're just being careful. No one will hurt you."

Wanda realized the voice belonged to the man who was holding her arm. She had seen him before being blindfolded. A skinny man who she hadn't heard his name. He had stared open mouth at her and Burns when the Humans realized they were both Souls. His words were gentle, and Wanda found some of her fears fade. These Chicago Humans appeared far more tolerant of Souls than Jeb's clan had in the beginning.

On the way to Chicago Wanda and the others often discussed the plague and how it was cured. With so little information on the people who helped cure the disease, their conversations often led to little more than speculation. But Wanda found herself wanting to believe these Humans had acted nobly to aid in finding a cure. It would be more proof that her people had badly misjudged the Humans and were wrong to take their world from them. Now, marched along in the inky blackness, she felt very conflicted. They had not received the most gracious of welcomes, but this man's reassuring words did give her hope.

A cold, damp, breeze blew on her uncovered face and as Wanda walked she could hear a district echo to her footfalls. They appeared to be walking in a huge room, with distant walls causing the echo. She was pulled to a stop and sounds of large heavy doors opening and closing could be heard, it caused a rumbling echo to reverberate through the large room. After a moment, she was again guided along by her mysterious guides. She then was surprised when she felt her feet walk on something soft, and the echoing noise dropped off suddenly. Next the hand on her arm let her go and then she felt the covering come off her eyes. Darkness replaced by bright light.

Wanda blinked several times as her eyes adjusted to the much-improved lighting. The light came from a single florescent bulb in the ceiling. She looked around her surroundings. It was a small dingy room with moldy old carpeting. It was not the most pleasant of smells. The only furniture was a beat-up and worn sofa sitting at the end of the room. The man who had spoken to her and guided her to this room stood nearby, studying her with wide eyes. She returned his silent stare. In the better light, he was younger than she would have believed. His short dark blond hair had a touch of waviness. She would guess his hair would become curly if he grew it out. His blue eyes were not hostile but instead shown with deep curiosity. Just like Jeb's mused Wanda.

The door to the outside opened again and she saw Burns being led in by Marc Walters. Marc led Burns through and shut the door behind him. Her fellow Soul, also blindfolded, was guided over to the sofa where Marc removed the covering over his eyes. The tall red-haired Soul blinked in the light as he looked about the room. He saw Wanda and breathed an audible sigh of relief. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Nodding to Burns, she addressed Marc who was watching both Souls intently, "Where are the others?"

"Nearby," replied Marc after a moment of hesitation. He turned to the other man and whispered something to the other man. He nodded and answered in a low whisper of his own. The two men appeared to be reaching some sort of decision.

"We aren't Seekers," said Burns suddenly.

Marc blinked in surprise at Burns' remark and then smiled. His smile was a playful smile, one that made him seem almost like a young boy who had been caught getting into trouble. A mischievous smile decided Wanda.

"I know Seekers when I see one. Trust me friend, I know you two aren't Seekers," replied a still smiling Marc.

Burns relaxed at the statement and then said quietly, "I was concerned after watching news reports about you, Marc Walters. Your actions indicated you would not react well if you believed us to be Seekers. I didn't want any of us to be tarred and feathered."

"What? Wait…What?" sputtered Marc. He looked Burns up and down in growing confusion and then turned towards his friend who had a similar expression on his face. Both men regarded the Soul as if he had an extra head on his shoulders. Burns began to explain when Marc held up his hands in a pleading gesture. "Okay, let's start over here." He motioned to the old sofa for the two Souls to sit down. Burns sat down cautiously on the couch, seeming unsure it would support his weight. Wanda didn't hesitate, after nearly three hours in the tunnels she was glad to get off her feet. After she settled into the worn out cushion of the sofa Wanda looked up at the two humans expectedly.

"Alright you seem to already know me," began Marc and then pointing to the other man who still had a bemused expression on his face, "and this is Scott." Scott gave them a quick smile and a nod. Marc then asked, "Now who are you?"

"I am Burns Living Flowers, but most simply call me Burns," answered the tall Soul.

Scott's eyes immediately widened at Burns' full name. He asked, "Burns Living Flowers…your name means you came from Fire World, right?"

"Yes," said Burns with a touch of surprise. Wanda found herself intrigued, these humans apparently knew a great deal about Souls already. She wondered where they had gained such knowledge. Perhaps they too had a Soul who had helped and taught them about her people.

"Never talked to someone from there," said Scott softly.

Marc turned towards Scott and said with a smirk, "I think that dipstick Seeker Twice Fires is from there."

"Marc, I mean someone I would want to talk to," said Scott flatly. Wanda watched the two humans, they were obviously close friends. Scott regarded Burns with a faint hope in his eyes. "I mean if you would be up to answer some questions about that planet," explained Scott.

"Scott's sort of our resident Soul expert," explained Marc to Burns and Wanda, who were looking at Scott oddly. He regarded Burns and added, "He'll have a million questions for you."

"I would answer…what I can," said Burns slowly. Wanda suspected her friend would be uncomfortable talking about the sentient flowers which made up the Fire Eaters primary food supply. Scott smiled happily at Burns' agreement.

"And you?" prompted Marc looking at Wanda.

"Wanda," she replied and then paused. She had grown use to her given human name and answered Marc's question without thinking. "Short for Wanderer…I have had many names actually, but Wanda is best."

Marc considered her words and asked, "The name Wanderer implies you've traveled a lot. Is that why you have that name?"

"Yes," said Wanda with a smile. She regarded Scott, "I have been to many worlds. You seem to know something of our history. I suppose you'll have many questions for me as well."

Scott nodded eagerly, and Wanda believed the young man would give Jeb stiff competition for the most inquisitive human she had ever met. Marc waved him off and quietly said, "Later." He folded his arms and grew serious, "Why were the two of you with the others?" Marc pointed towards the door indicating her friends and continued with his questioning, "Did they force you to go with them?"

"They're our friends," said Wanda shaking her head. "We traveled together to find you."

"Friends," said Marc slowly. He sounded out the word as though it was unfamiliar to him.

Wanda went with a hunch and asked, "You have made friends with Souls as well, haven't you? How else would you know so much about us?"

Marc and Scott exchanged looks that Wanda could only describe as grief. She wondered what had happened to cause such pain in the two men's eyes. She was about to ask when the door suddenly banged open and a stocky man with black hair stormed into the room.

Marc's eyes narrowed at the sudden intrusion. "Jason, what's wrong?" he asked with concern in his voice.

Jason stood scowling as he looked over the two Souls and then pointed to Wanda, "You…You're Wanda, right?"

Uncertain and somewhat fearful of this new Human's sudden arrival Wanda could only nod to his question. Still irritated Jason turned to Marc and said, "They're impossible! Every five seconds it's 'Where's Wanda?' and 'What are you doing to Wanda?' or 'You better not be hurting Wanda.' Dell is about ready to knock the tall guy's teeth in."

Wanda jumped up; alarmed Ian would be in such danger. She glared at the three Humans. "We came to you in peace. We only wanted to help you. Is this how you treat guests!?"

Marc, Scott, and Jason all stared at her in disbelief. Her actions were not one of a peaceful Soul she realized, but at the moment Wanda didn't care. She was smaller than any of the humans in the room, but her sudden outburst of anger made them all take a step back. Marc gazed at her very intently, his brown eyes meeting her grey silver eyes. Still holding her stare he blew out an annoyed breath and told Jason, "Fine, bring them in."

Wanda relaxed and with a shrug Jason turned at exited the room. She felt Marc's eyes on her as he studied her suspiciously. After her initial outburst, she was beginning to feel a bit self-conscious. With an annoyed frustration, she could feel a blush forming on her cheeks. Marc's face betrayed nothing. She realized he had a poker face just like Jeb's.

The door opened only a few moments later and Jason returned with her friends close behind. From the doorway, Jason pointed to her and said, "See? She's fine. Damn it, you guys acted like we were poking her with sticks or something."

Pushing past Jason, Ian strode into the room and went directly over to Wanda. He bent down and pulled her into a tight hug. "Are you okay?" he whispered into her ear. His voice was full of worry and concern.

Nodding her head, she whispered back, "I'm fine Ian. Marc was just asking us questions." From the corner of her eye she saw Marc with a knowing smile on his face. Scott and Jason looked mildly shocked at Ian's behavior. Wanda felt her cheeks grow from a faint blush to beet red as these new humans gawked at her and Ian.

Marc cleared his throat loudly and said to the others, "Alright. We'll just do this all at once then. As you can see we're not hurting your shiny eyed friends. I was just trying to understand why you four brought two Souls with you." He glanced at Ian, who had released Wanda and stood protectively next to her and added with a faint smirk, "But I guess I've figured that one out."

Wanda felt Ian tense at Marc's words but then he gave a frustrated sigh and she could feel Ian relax. He took her hand in his. Marc at least seemed accepting of her and Ian's relationship. She saw Nate push into the small room past Melanie to check on Burns. He gave a quick smile upon seeing his friend was alright and explained to Marc, "Most people when they meet Burns or Wanda, usually, get…a might upset. You can understand why we were worried."

"I believe Marc and the others may have had their own interaction with friendly Souls," said Burns from the sofa. He indicated to Scott, "They seem to know a lot about Souls already." Wanda nodded in agreement with her fellow Soul. She remembered the pained looks Marc and Scott shared when she asked about their friendships with Souls. Hesitantly she asked, "What happened to your friends? Did the plague…"

"Yes," said Marc faintly as he answered her unspoken question. Marc's good humor had faded and a pained look settled on his face. "To be accurate," elaborated Scott, "there was also an accident recently. We lost two good friends, a healer who helped us with the epidemic and his partner."

Scott glanced to Marc, and the tall man merely shrugged, and Scott began to explain in greater detail. "Well…we've made a few allies with Souls over the years we've lived down here. Not many mind you. Up until recently we've always been very careful about whom we revealed ourselves, one false step would be fatal. In the process, we learned a bit about Souls from them and some we learned by just listening and watching. " He regarded Burns and Wanda and added with a small smile, "Some of us are pretty good at blending in with the above ground population when we need to."

Surprised looks came from Wanda and her friends. Not only had these people succeeded in surviving in the city full of Souls, they had somehow managed to conceal themselves above ground. She began to ask for more details when the big man named Dell interrupted her from the end of the room. "Enough about us, what exactly are you six doing here? In the tunnels you said you want to help. Well, that's nice…how are you going to help us?" Marc straightened at Dell's words, and Wanda could see the man push his pain away within a heartbeat. He regarded Ian, Wanda, and the others coolly and asked, "So let's hear it, who are you and what's your story?

Ian glanced between Wanda and Nate. It was clear to Wanda these Humans were reluctant to discuss themselves further until they had a better understanding of their visitors and their agenda. Ian and Nate seemed to share her opinion for all three of them nodded silently. Ian then spoke up, "Alright fair enough. Like I said in the tunnels, we came to the city attempting to find you and your people. We've heard about what happened with the plague and how you helped bring about a cure, but we're missing a lot of the details." Ian dipped his head towards Wanda and Burns, "As you can see we've befriended a few Souls of our own. We're hoping we can build on what you've accomplished, maybe work towards some peace agreement with the Souls in general."

Marc, Scott, Jason, and Dell all exchanged looks. Wanda wasn't sure what the four men thought of Ian's proposal. Marc sighed and rubbed his temples. "Okay, we can discuss all that in a bit, but where are you guys from?" asked Marc after he finished rubbing his head.

"We actually represent two different rebel cells. I, Wanda, Melanie, and Lacey are from a group in Arizona. Nate and Burns are from another cell in Colorado," explained Ian.

"A hell of a road trip," remarked Jason.

"Just a bit," said Ian with a shrug. "With Wanda's help we've made some long-range raids before. But usually we didn't go too far into the big cities, just too much risk. I'll commend you guys for hanging on so long."

"It's always an adventure," said Marc with a mild smile. "We don't get much in the way of visitors of the human variety. We haven't met up with anyone from outside Chicago in nearly two years. Last year there was some girl who made it into the city. Learned a little too late actually, she ended up jumping down an elevator shaft trying to get away from the Seekers."

Both Wanda and Ian started in surprise. They turned to Melanie and found her fighting hard to stop herself from bursting out in laughter. "Yep, that would be me!" she said in between a snicker.

"What!?" said Marc and Scott at the same time.

Wanda looked between Mel and Marc and then smiled herself. "Perhaps we should start at the beginning. You see originally I was inserted into…"

####

"Does It ever bother you?" asked Agent Williams to Agent Gray.

In the crowded living room, Gray was busy with stripping down one of the AR-15s and didn't look up. Williams sighed and reached up and grabbed the bar suspended across the doorway leading to a single bedroom. Pulling himself up till his chin was level with the bar, he then began slowly counting to thirty. Midway through the count the muscles in his arms and shoulders began to burn as he hung in the air. He ignored the pain and finished his count. Then he slowly lowered himself back down until his feet touched the floor.

Williams let go and prepared to ask Gray again. The man could become so focused on cleaning a weapon he would become completely absorbed. Gray stopped working on the gun and looked up at Williams. The man's eyes were distant as he contemplated William's question. At last he said indifferently, "Sometimes when I sleep I have strange dreams. Sounds and colors I can't even understand. About other worlds, I guess."

"I don't dream," said Williams as he went over to a crate of equipment packed into the living room. He began to count their ordnance, what felt like for the hundredth time. He paused and asked hesitantly, "Is that normal?"

Gray shrugged his shoulders and went back to his work. "I don't know," he said as he adjusted the scope on the weapon, "the Docs say it's different from person to person. No two Recoveries go the same way."

Still working on re-assembling the gun, Gray fixed him with a hard stare. "Williams, why are you asking? Does yours talk to you? You know you need to report that right away."

"No, I don't hear It," said Williams irritably. Gray continued eyeing him carefully. Williams gritted his teeth and then finally said, "Yeah I get the headaches and once in a while a tremor in the hands. I take the medicine like I'm supposed to. I felt…something when we pulled the worm from the woman, but other than that I don't feel anything."

"Well, what's the problem?" asked Gray with slight confusion.

Williams balled his hands into fists and had to suppress the urge to scream. "Because I've got one of those damn things in my head! And I don't care if the Doctors say it been suppressed and I'm in control again. I've got all these gaps in my memory. How do I know It isn't effecting me?"

"Ahh, you don't trust yourself," said Gray in understanding. He sat the AR-15 down, now fully assembled and asked, "Do you have some desire to walk into the Seekers' headquarters and turn us in?"

"No, of course not," said Williams.

"You've killed them before, how did you feel when you did it?" questioned Gray.

"Honestly, I didn't feel much of anything." Williams paused, thinking about what he just said. The Major had asked him the same question before the assembly of the team. As before his answer was truthful, he felt nothing, but Williams was beginning to feel that was the problem. "I don't react when I kill one of them, shouldn't I feel at least something? Don't you?"

Gray ran his hands through his thinning dark hair. He leaned back in his chair, contemplating Williams' question. Williams stopped checking on the crates and sat down on a chair across from Gray and waited. He could tell Gray was unhappy with the question he had asked, working for the Facility had limits on how far you could go when questioning your orders. Asking if you felt sorry about killing your enemy wasn't. But asking if they were right to kill innocent people controlled by a race of parasitic aliens would be going too far.

At last Gray said, "Do you want to feel something?"

"Yes," said Williams truthfully. "I feel…empty. Like all these blank spots in my memory are stopping me from being…I don't know…complete."

"You don't remember much from when you were taken over?" asked Grey quietly.

"Hell, I don't remember much at all. At least anything other than being in the Army and then waking up in the Facility," answered Williams.

"Be thankful," growled out Gray. "I've got a wife out there somewhere, I remember her at least. Most likely a host, but maybe she got away. In all likelihood, I'll never know. I only remember bits and pieces of when this thing ran the show." He reached back and rubbed the back of his neck by his insertion scar before continuing. "It was a Seeker and It though we Humans were nothing but cattle. Just something you used and discarded when done. Remember my words if you ever feel bad about killing these worms."

"Sometimes I wonder if it is worse not knowing what you did while It was in control. Not remembering just eats away at you," replied Williams shaking his head. He leaned forward to Gray and said softly, "I've heard when they do the removal of the parasite and if person recovers they remember everything."

"Not really an option for us. Too much cutting and cauterizing," said Gray tapping his head, "we'd be dead if they ever pulled It out." He smiled grimly, "But there is an upside, we get their lovely eyes. Best camouflage you can get."

Williams rose and began to walk to the bedroom. His talk with Gray hadn't helped much. Gray just didn't understand. The feeling of emptiness still weighed him down. From the chair, Gray sighed and said firmly, "You know I'll have to report this to Adams. Any deviations need to be reported." Williams stop dead in his tracks.

Seeing Williams' reaction to his words, Gray relented and added, "I know how it is. We're stuck here waiting for the others to get back from the last mission. All we've got now is time to burn and the mind wanders." Gray gestured to the weapons he was cleaning before Williams interrupted him. "Just got to keep yourself busy."

"Do what you need to," grunted Williams and entered the other room. The bedroom had been mostly filled with their reconnaissance equipment. Williams sat down at the laptop which controlled the cameras mounted by the window and began reviewing footage. 'Keep yourself busy,' he told himself.

After waiting a few minutes to see if Gray would check up on him, Williams stopped reviewing recorded video. He instead pulled up the recording of the girl. He had nearly memorized the video, but he played it again. The other videos Williams had reported on, but not this one. This one he kept secret.

He knew the girl in the video.

How? Williams wasn't certain. Was it when the parasite called Pale Light Gleaming still controlled him, before It became lobotomized? Or was she from a time before the aliens? Somehow this Mia Cheng was the key to his memories.

"Mia, Mia, Mia," said Williams softly to himself, "I'm going to have to meet you soon."

####

"Well, as you can see," said Marc to Wanda and Ian as they walked down the narrow corridor, "we're a little tight on space. But I think we can manage to fit you in…umm…somewhere."

After spending nearly two hours of retelling of her insertion into Melanie. Their ensuing journey into the desert, of being found by Jeb, and the slow building of trust between herself and the humans over the months which followed. Marc and the others sat nearly transfixed before her. Ian and Melanie helped fill in details, but the story being told was all Wanda's. She was glad she could still tell a story so well. She had captivated them without genuinely trying. In doing so, she had helped build trust between the two groups.

As part of the new trust, Marc had agreed to bring the six of them to their new hideout and shelter them for the time being. Wanda had to admit it wasn't quite what she had expected. But she was beginning to realize Marc and his fellow humans were anything but conventional.

"Thank you, Marc," said Wanda gently. Ian nodded as well. It would be nice if they had a little privacy.

There was a squeal from one of the rooms they passed and Lacey dashed out into the hallway with a wide grin on her face. "They have real showers!" she gushed excitedly, "Hot and cold running water any time I want." She pointed to Marc and said with a mildly annoying tone to Ian, "Jeb and his caves can suck it. I love it here." She then entered the same room and shut the door behind her. After a moment, the sound of running water could be heard.

Marc looked to Ian and Wanda. Ian sighed and said, "Well Lacey approves."

"I can't believe she used to be a Seeker," said Marc with a shake of his head.

"Believe it," said Ian and Wanda together.

Looking directly at Wanda, Marc said, "And you freed her and Melanie." There was a respect in both Marc's words and eyes when he spoke to her.

"It was the right thing to do," replied Wanda with a small smile.

Marc just shook his head again and looked back to the closed door. "Almost don't want to tell her this is all temporary. We never planned to stay long-term, just too many risks."

"Were you planning on moving back to your original home?" asked Ian.

Marc stopped in the hallway and gestured around him. "A lot of our plans depend on how things go with the Souls and their little Quorum." He gave Wanda a pained looked and sighed, "It's been very slow with the Quorum. Honestly I don't know if I'm making any progress or not."

"Perhaps we can discuss your progress further, I may be able to help," said Wanda.

Marc grinned at her. "Little lady, I will take all the help you can give."

Wanda felt her cheeks warm slightly. Marc could be quite the gentleman when the mood struck him. Beside her Ian made a somewhat irritated sigh, which Marc pointedly ignored. Wanda forced down a smile and gently rubbed Ian's hand with hers as they started walking again.

Rounding the corner a boy nearly ran into the three of them. The boy stopped when he saw Wanda, his jaw dropping in amazement. She looked him over and realized he was older than she first thought. His youthful face was just beginning to shape towards adulthood. His arms and legs just a bit too long for his body, all the signs of a recent growth spurt. Except for his floppy blond hair, the boy looked a great deal like Jamie. Wanda felt an instant twinge of pain, already missing her little brother.

"It's true," said the boy still staring at Wanda, "Dell said there were Souls with them, but I just couldn't believe it."

Marc pointed at the boy and said in an annoyed tone, "Tim, don't gawk."

Tim's eyes never left Wanda, but he closed his mouth with an audible snap. After a moment, Tim swallowed nervously and said, "Hi, I'm Tim."

Wanda smiled fondly at the boy, "Hello Tim, my name is Wanda." She indicated to Ian, who gave Tim a quick wave and continued, "And this is Ian. We're glad to meet you."

Tim's jaw appeared ready to drop again, but Marc put a stop to it when he said coolly, "Yes this is Tim and he's grounded."

"What? Why?" asked Tim, finally taking his eyes off Wanda and Ian and looking to Marc.

Marc crossed his arms and said flatly, "Dell told me about the stunt you pulled yesterday and you skipped school. So you have detention until Sarah says otherwise."

"I thought you said I'm grounded," replied Tim with more than a trace of defiance in his voice.

Marc shrugged while answering, "No reason you can't have both." Tim's face reddened at Marc's answer. He looked ready to argue with Marc when the older man bent down and whispered something in Tim's ear. After a second Tim's anger drained away.

"Why?" asked Tim as his confusion grew.

"Just find her," snapped Marc. Tim scowled at Marc but turned and left down the narrow hallway. Marc watched him go and with a sigh he said, "Sorry about that. Sometimes I feel like I'm running a daycare center here."

"Trust me, we know how you feel," said Ian sympathetically as they began walking again. "Our group has its share of children as well. It seems like we can't go a week without some type of blow up happening in Sharon's class."

"I can't really blame Tim," replied Marc, "we've been stuck here on top of each other for over a month. Enough to make anyone a little stir crazy."

Marc led them to the end of the corridor and opened an old wooden door with the faded numbers three one seven labeled on the door. Inside Wanda saw a small unfinished room mostly filled with boxes of equipment. Even with the boxes removed she guessed it would only be half the size of the room she shared with Ian back in Jeb's caves.

"We've used this bedroom for mostly storage," said Marc as he entered the room and gestured around. "I'll get a few of us over to move out what we can and scrounge up a mattress for you two, best I can do for now."

"Thanks," said Ian as he pulled Wanda to him. She snuggled into him as Ian wrapped his arms around her. Ian looked at the pile of boxes and asked, "Alright if we stack them outside in the hallway right now?"

Marc picked up on Ian's hint he wanted some time alone with Wanda. "Sure, it will do for now," replied Marc. Wanda saw the man give them both a rueful smile and added, "I'll just go and see how dinner is going." Finding his excuse to leave them alone, Marc disappeared down the hallway.

Ian bent down and gave Wanda a kiss. She sighed and squeezed herself to him. It was nice to be alone at last. Ian broke the kiss and said, "How are you doing?"

"Tired," she admitted and then added, "Sore and a little hungry. Marching around those tunnels is exhausting." Ian let go of her and pulled several boxes out of the room. He created a small sitting space for them among the stored equipment. Wanda sat down gingerly, careful to not damage anything in the boxes.

Ian checked the hallway to make sure it was clear and asked, "So what do you think of their little arrangement with the Seekers?"

Wanda fought to keep her features calm and gave a frustrated sigh. "I understand Marc's idea and I will admit it does seem to be working. But the idea they could release how to remove Souls to the remaining Human resistance…it's very disconcerting."

"I get the feeling Marc didn't really want to tell us either. Are you sure you're alright with this?" questioned Ian.

Wanda was about to answer when a noise from the door drew her attention. Ian also looked up, his eyes narrowing. In the doorway stood a girl. She was small, smaller than Wanda. Dark hair with an Asian appearance she wore a pair of dirty and ripped cargo pants with a threadbare black shirt. She swayed from side to side in the doorway, as though she was dancing slowly to music only she could hear.

Smiling broadly at Wanda, the girl spoke with glee. "Hello, my name is Mia!"

Wanda returned the girl's smile, but something about how the girl looked at her made her feel nervous. Ian regarded Mia with a puzzled expression and said, "Umm…Hi, my name is Ian and this is Wanda."

Mia glanced at Ian and then back to Wanda, still looking at her with her odd smile. With a sudden jump, she threw herself into the small room, passing Ian and landing right up next to Wanda. Wanda started with surprise at the girl's sudden movement but then froze as the girl pulled a small knife from her belt.

Mia leaned in with the blade and said in a sign-song voice, "Bright Eyes, let's play a game."

AN: You know I just had to have Mia meet up with Wanda. Those two will get along so well (grins evilly)

For karlellewellyn, hope this answers some of your questions about Adams and his men. We'll be finding out more about them soon.

-Walker