I woke up the next morning feeling a little disoriented at hearing Terlin's voice in my head, but then remembered what had happened the previous day. I let out a deep breath of relief when I realized that I had full control over my body. He laughed a little at my reaction.

(I promised to give you control most of the time,) he chided me, gently.

(It's still weird, though. Especially with you in my head,) I half complained as I got up. (I know, I know, you can't help it.)

(Soon enough, this will all feel like second nature,) Terlin promised.

(Yeah, well, I'm still in the freaking out stage because there's an alien living in my head stage,) I retorted, but smiled.

Terlin sighed. (It's times like this when it would have benefited me, and you by extension, had I had other human hosts,) Terlin told me. (The statistics of how long it takes voluntary humans to adjust completely are probably available, but real life stories would feel more...applicable.)

I noted Terlin's use of the term "voluntary". Maybe he was trying to persuade me in this subtle way, help me have my mind made up before we returned to the Yeerk Pool in two days. Of course, it could be that involuntary hosts didn't ever really adjust, and regardless of whether I would have agreed to infestation had I been given the choice, "voluntary" probably more accurately described the current situation better than "involuntary". I mean, the fact that he hadn't had to take control by force had to mean that I was, at the very least, cooperating.

(Guess we'll learn hands on,) I told him. (Is that something I can ask others about? If I end up with the voluntary hosts?)

I wanted to make it clear that, in this, I still had a choice.

Terlin didn't seem perturbed by my remark, but as he'd been following my train of thought, there was no reason that he would have been.

(Of course. They may not want to reveal everything to you, all at once, but I don't think it would be a taboo question,) he responded.

I headed to the bathroom. (I need to take a shower,) I told him. (Is this going to be weird?)

Terlin hesitated before responding. (Maybe less uncomfortable than going to the bathroom.)

I rolled my eyes. (If you weren't in my head, I'd just ask you to close your eyes until I finished.)

(If I weren't in your head, there would be no need to ask, as I wouldn't be able to see,) Terlin replied dryly.

Another eye roll on my part.

I knocked on the door to make sure that Jake wasn't there-my parents had their own bathroom, but the two of us shared one-and after waiting a few minutes without hearing any reply, I (well, we) headed inside.

I pulled off my pajamas and threw them in the hamper that my mom emptied at least once a day. Turned on the water and waited for it to warm up enough to go inside. Then, headed in with the determined mindset I used before starting my science homework.

Terlin was quiet, keeping his thoughts to himself. I kept my mind on the tasks at hand, and given his silence, I could almost pretend I didn't have someone watching me. About ten minutes later, I emerged from the shower, wrapped a towel around myself before combing out my now clean hair and brushing my teeth. It wasn't until I was back in my room and getting dressed that Terlin spoke to me again.

(That was a little like being back in the Yeerk Pool,) he told me, a little wistfully.

(Yeah?) I asked, grabbing a shirt from my dresser. (How so?)

(Oh, the warm water, mostly,) he told me. (Of course, when we feed, we're always with hundreds of other Yeerks, but the water itself is very warm, and the rays from the Kandrona feel a bit like your sun feels on a warm day.)

I chewed on my lip. (You'd probably like swimming,) I told him. (Of course, unless the pool is heated, the water is pretty cold, but your body-well, the human body-gets used to it pretty quickly. And there are usually other people there with you.)

Terlin could see some of my memories of going to pool parties and swimming on family trips.

(Yes, that is more similar,) he told me, giving me a mental smile.

We headed downstairs for breakfast, which Mom had already started. Dad was sitting at the table, reading the newspaper in his pajamas and a bathrobe, and Jake was already wolfing some some pancakes, also in his pajamas. It occurred to me that I could have prolonged the awkwardness by going downstairs in mine, but at least that was out of the way.

"Good morning, honey," Mom said, as she heard me approach. "Sleep well?"

"Pretty well," I told her, taking a seat next to Jake. "I'm starved."

Dad laughed. "You and your brother eat enough for five people. But you're teenagers, so I guess that's to be expected."

Mom placed a plate of pancakes and eggs in front of me, giving the top of my head a quick peck. "That should get your started," she told me. She glanced at my face carefully. "Still a little bruised, but I guess that's normal."

"Let me take a look." Dad, being the doctor, removed his eyes from the paper to inspect me. "Should be fine in a couple of days."

That seemed to satisfy Mom, but then Jake chirped up. "What happened, Tom?"

I shrugged. "Oh, just fell off my bike on my way home yesterday."

"Ouch. Does it hurt?"

I shook my head and smiled at him. "Not anymore."

That seemed to satisfy him, and we had an ordinary breakfast.

Afterwards, Jake and I shot hoops for awhile. Jake was getting pretty good, and I knew that he was hoping to make the team when tryouts were held next week.

"Think I got a chance?" he asked, hopefully.

"Sure," I told him.

Thing was, I didn't know what his competition was like, or how many people from his grade got chosen. He was good, sure, but he might be competing against kids who were amazing. Or, he might be the best in his class. I didn't know, and I wasn't going to say anything either way. I could tell that it meant a lot to Jake, because he looked up to me, and I didn't want to tell him anything that would either give him false hope or give up completely. He just had to keep working hard at it, and the rest would be up to the coach.

Him making the team would also mean he would have less free time. So, even though he would soon find out that I was a full member of The Sharing, he would be less likely to want to stretch himself thin if he was already busy with school and the team.

I was beginning to wonder how I was going to do it all. I knew that Sharing meetings were at least once a week, but trips to the Yeerk Pool would take away a couple more afternoons, or evenings. I didn't know how long Terlin had to feed when he was there, but the whole thing would have to take at least two hours. If I agreed to become voluntary, would it just become another place to study?

I'd known that full members spent more time at The Sharing than associate members, which is what I had been up until yesterday afternoon. But getting to know Alison had kept me from really thinking through the whole time commitment issue. I guess I figured that I would score a date with her before having to become a full member.

(You're forgetting that you'll have to spend far less time on homework.) Terlin's voice brought me out of my memory, and I was so surprised that I almost replied out loud. I stopped myself just in time, which was good because he would have had to have taken control.

(Because all the teachers are Controllers and they're required to give us all A's?) I joked.

He laughed. (Some of them are, but not exactly. I mean...and please don't take offense...but I can help you with your schoolwork.) Seeing my confusion, but no anger or affront to his words, Terlin continued. (Especially subjects like math and science. I can explain it in such a way that it takes far less time to comprehend, and you'll have to put far less time into those classes than you normally would. You can't suddenly become a straight A student, because it would look too suspicious, but maybe your grades can improve a little. Anyway, your work load won't be a problem.)

(Is that because you're in my mind and when we're at class, you can explain things better than the teachers can?) I wondered.

(That, and Yeerk technology has far surpassed that of humans. With aid from the Andalites,) he added. (Nearly all Yeerks, even those without hosts, could pass any math or science test at an Ivy League college without having to study beforehand. So, we can certainly help our hosts-well, the humans-understand easier math and science without wasting hours studying.)

(The advantages to an alien in your brain,) I half joked. (Okay, what about English, History, and Spanish?)

(History requires memorization of events and dates, and some digestion of the material so that it appears that you have fully processed it and applied it to the world as a whole when you're taking a test or writing a paper. Some work, but little that paying attention in class and the required reading won't fix. Spanish is primarily word and grammar memorization, as are most human languages. English...well, we don't exactly have a Yeerk equivalent, but I am sure that we can find our way around that,) Terlin told me. (You should have no problem with keeping your grades. Even with the additional commitment of The Sharing.)

(I guess if Yeerks end up taking over the world, stuff like History and English won't be taught at Yeerk school,) I noted.

(Not to the same degree that humans learn it, no,) Terlin agreed.

(Well, that's one point in favor of you guys,) I joked. (Say you'll abolish the school system, and you would have most middle and high school students fighting to become Controllers.)

Terlin feigned annoyance. (Your brother's vice principal is one of us. So is his wife. Probably not the best method of promoting Yeerk infestation. In addition to the fact that it has to be kept quiet, for our survival.)

(I know, I know.) I paused. (Wait, Chapman? That's creepy.) I had only just started high school, so I didn't see much of him anymore, but I never much liked him. He'd never given me any problems, so maybe it was the generic dislike of authority. Still. (Is he voluntary?)

(Him, and his wife,) Terlin told me. (But his daughter, who's about the same age as your brother, is not a member of The Sharing.)

That put her at about thirteen, maybe twelve. There were kids of both ages in Jake's grade.

(How old are most Controllers?) I asked.

(Human-Controllers, you mean? Preferably at least your brother's age, unless they already have a parent in The Sharing as a full member. With the required trips to meetings and the Yeerk Pool, we need someone who can make them without causing alarm. And it's not as though they can tell their parents that they've joined a school organization, although with your brother's vice principal being a high-ranking Yeerk, he can allow the school to promote it.)

(So, it's not so much that you care about the age or maturity of the person, but physical logistics?) I asked.

Maybe I should have known. My infestation should have told me that the Yeerks were out to get numbers. Volunteers, sure, but mostly numbers.

I could feel Terlin's discomfort. (It's complicated, Tom. For races such as the Hork-Bajir and the Taxxons, physical maturity has to take place. We cannot infest newborns without causing severe developmental damage. Not that it's been attempted, so perhaps it's an act of compassion on our part, but it's not as though a host that young is capable of doing anything for the invasion. Anyway, we want the hosts to be voluntary, so infesting too young can certainly cause developmental delays. Ideally, the host body should be fully grown, and in good physical health. With humans, though, we are working at gaining members, so age cannot matter as much. I would hope that the Yeerks who infest the younger humans are especially compassionate and understanding, but there's no way of knowing.)

My throat hurt, and I swallowed hard. (I can see it from your side, Terlin,) I told him. (I just hate it. Can't you just announce yourselves, say that you're looking for people to partner up with, and maybe form some kind of an agreement with us? I mean, you said that you don't have to be in control all the time. Don't others feel the same way?)

(If they do, Tom, they don't say it to many people. We are an empire, not a democracy. Besides, can you imagine what would happen if one of us proposed something to your president or one of the other rulers? People would not accept it. They would kill us. Humans outnumber Yeerks, and while your weapons are not as sophisticated as ours, a gun can kill a Taxxon or a Hork-Bajir as easily as a shredder.)

Yeah, outright war probably wasn't the way to go for them. Humans had been killing each other off long enough to develop some pretty high tech weapons, and I had no doubt that if it came down to it, we'd risk blowing up the planet over letting ourselves get taken over by aliens. Even if some of them were decent.

(I just don't want anything to happen to Jake. Or my family. I want them to stay safe.)

(I promised you that I would do whatever I could to either prevent their infestation, or, in the chance that it was absolutely necessary, to ensure it was with a kind Yeerk,) Terlin promised. (I meant it, and I still do.)

I gave a mental nod. It was, I knew, the most that I could hope for.

Later that day, after we had finished my math and science homework-both of which had taken less than an hour combined, which I knew was way less time than it was supposed to take-Terlin told me that we would have to visit the Yeerk Pool the following day.

(I thought it was every three days,) I complained, closing my science book with disgust.

(It is. But seventy-two hours is the absolute maximum amount of time that I can survive without Kandrona rays,) Terlin explained. (Hunger sets in far earlier, and the last few hours before the three day deadline are when starvation occurs. Given that I infested you at about 4:00 on Friday, the maximum amount of time I could survive without feeling severe hunger pangs would be at about 6:00 on Monday morning. We cannot go to the Yeerk Pool that early, because you have school at 8:00. I need at least two hours to feed, and the trip both ways takes about a half an hour. Forty-five minutes, depending on traffic and the line for feeding. So, we have to go tomorrow evening,) he concluded.

I nodded, understanding his reasoning. (So, we take my bike over to The Sharing, you feed for a couple of hours, and then I get home in time for curfew?) I asked.

(The closest entrance to the pool is under your brother's school,) Terlin told me. (But as far as what we tell your parents, we're attending a Sharing meeting.)

(Under the school?) I repeated. (Don't they hear the screams?)

(It's very, very far under the school,) Terlin explained. (Besides, that's just one of the entrances. There are multiple others. We might need to use one of them, depending on where we are when it's time for me to feed. Proximity and whatnot.)

I glanced at the clock in my room. It was already 4:00 in the afternoon. Another fourteen hours or so, and we'd be heading back to that hellish place. And not just once. It would be a regular thing. Even if I ended up staying in the voluntary area, the screams from the Yeerk Pool could give me nightmares.

(Is there a time when it's slow?) I asked hopefully. (Like, maybe at midnight?)

Terlin was quiet, and I could feel him concentrating, probably looking through his own memory to check. I had to imagine that since Hork-Bajir, Taxxons, and Gedds didn't have the traditional nine-to-five schedule, they could be at the Yeerk Pool at any time. I hadn't seen any Taxxons there yesterday, but they were all voluntary, so that made sense. I didn't recall seeing anything resembling a Gedd, either. Just Hork-Bajir and humans.

(As far as avoiding humans, afternoon would probably be best,) he told me. (During the work week, anyway.)

In other words, it was unlikely that we would be there tomorrow during an "off" time.

(Voluntary hosts are placed in a separate area, and they don't hear the sounds from the others. Not unless they're in the immediate room, and there, I imagine it's pretty quiet.)

(Another reason to go voluntary, I guess.)

The only reason not to, really, was to make a statement. To be able to scream and cry against the Yeerk Empire. It wasn't like anyone escaped, and with the invasion moving in the stealth direction, no one was fighting and crashing the Yeerk Pool to free the prisoners.

(There's an additional reason to be a voluntary host.) Terlin's voice broke me out of my reverie, and I visibly jumped. (Sorry about that!) he added, sounding sheepish.

I shrugged off the apology. (What's that?)

(Hosts that are voluntary, formally, are valued and treated better than those in cages. I don't just mean with a separate area when their Yeerk feeds. Rather, in the event that I get reassigned, you are much more likely to go to someone who wants a voluntary host. That means that they will value your cooperation, perhaps even want to gain your friendship and your trust. They are far less likely to mistreat you. As for your family, if they have not joined The Sharing by then, the Yeerk will probably realize that it's either a lost cause, or that they would be blowing their cover were they to convince them to join.)

(What about forced infestation? Like with kids?)

(That's very, very rare, and avoided. It's seen as a last resort. Sad as it is, the human children offspring are more likely to be taken if one of the parents is a target and cannot be easily taken. Jake and your parents are desirable as healthy human hosts, but they have no power or connections that we could use in our favor.)

(Why are you telling me this now?)

(I want you to understand that although my being reassigned in the near future is extremely unlikely, it is possible that you will receive another Yeerk. While you may not be truly voluntary in the sense that they explained infestation to you and you agreed, you are not opposed to my presence in your head. I hope that we can become friends as we spend more time together-)

(-In my brain,) I interrupted, giving him a mental grin.

Terlin chuckled. (Yes, in your brain. Anyway, I hope that things will work out and you will be my host for a very long time. But if that doesn't happen...think of being voluntary as a sort of insurance policy.)

Even though he didn't say as much, it was also a type of weapon. At least, a source of protection. Kind of like body armor, except for my mind instead of for my body.

Not that Terlin would say as much outright. He wasn't an ambitious Yeerk, as he had told me before, but he also wasn't a traitor to the empire. He was giving me information, enough to protect me, but doing so in a way that made him appear like a loyal Yeerk. Well, loyalish.

Which was better than outright treason.

(Okay,) I told him. (You've got yourself a voluntary host.)

The next day, we made our way back to the Yeerk Pool.