Chapter 4
The Seeker arrived at my doorway minutes after I woke up. I was dressed plainly, in generic clothes I had found in my small dresser.
"Cassandra," I smiled, trying to release the immediate tension that struck my body at the sight of her.
"Soul…" She said, trailing off.
"Luna." I still wore my smile.
"Luna…hmm. Pretty," she said simply.
"I feel it suits the body."
She wasted no time. "Are you ready to access the Host's memories?"
I ran my fingers through my sleep-tangled hair. "I suppose."
"Good. Come with me."
I followed the Seeker down the hallway, feeling somewhat like a led horse. I passed Star Blanket. He smiled at me.
It was amazing how a simple gesture could make this body tingle.
Every hallway seemed the same to me. We could be walking in circles, for all I knew.
My Seeker stopped at a room down the fourteenth or fifteenth hallway. Unlike many of the other rooms, this one had a door, rather than just an open doorway.
She turned the doorknob and stepped inside. I followed.
"Hello," Healer Flames greeted me warmly.
I glanced around the room. It had a long stretch of windows and was empty except for a long, white table. The Healer sat at the head.
"She calls herself Luna," my Seeker stated. I nodded.
He considered it for a second. "A lovely name...why did you choose it?"
I smiled. "This body's eyes remind me of the moon."
Healer Flames smiled as well. "Remember Luna, they're not the body's eyes; they're your eyes."
The comment made me feel foolish. Of course, this body was mine. This was my body now.
"Have a seat," my Seeker said. It was likely meant to sound welcoming, but there was a slight asperity in her voice. It sounded more like an order. I sat down quickly, and took a deep breath.
My Healer looked to the Seeker. She nodded at him
"Okay, Luna," Healer Flames spoke quietly, "Close your eyes and relax. This won't be difficult at all." His voice was so soothing.
I did as he asked, shutting my eyes and letting my breathing even out to a slow, constant pattern.
"Now navigate to her memories," the Healers voice drifted into my ears.
But I was already there.
The Seekers wrapped around me, surrounding me. I was trapped. This was it. This was the end. There were six or seven, a few had their guns out.
"Please, come peacefully with us,"
"We only want to help," another chimed in.
Fear struck me. I realized I was panting. My stomach, it seemed, had dropped into the floor. My legs twitched to run, run out of here.
I decided I did not like fear.
My breathing was ragged and shallow. I was done. I was going to die. But I couldn't let them take me. I reached into my pocket, fumbling for the gun.
I heard the click of more guns being drawn. They stayed trained on my head.
No one could save me now. Not even Jeff –
A face flashed through my head, too fast to make out.
Jeff.
I dived back into the memory.
I searched for the gun with sweaty fingers, half-wishing Jeff –
Someone screamed. And everything was lit aflame. My body, the Seekers and the old warehouse that I was about to die in.
Hot, swirling air choked the memory. Sparks gleefully danced into the air. Then plumes of black smoke tumbled from the ground in thick puffs, burning me, burning Jeff.
The memory was gone.
My eyelids shot open. Healer Flames wore an anxious face.
"Well?" My Seeker asked, sharply. The Healer turned to her, giving a questioning look.
"Her name is Dana."
My head began to pound.
"Dana Hatch."
The pounding quickened. My stomach seemed to fall even farther into the floor
My stomach seemed to fall even farther into the floor, remembering last night.
"She had strong ties to another rogue human. Jeff, I believe."
The pounding turned into banging, like someone was trying to bash my skull from the inside out.
"Excuse me," I said, rocketing up to my feet. The dull, bruising pain was making me woozy. I grabbed the back of the chair. "I have a bit of a headache. Could I go and get some water?" I could feel panic foaming in the pit of my stomach. I bead of sweat rolled down my face, splashing into my eye and blurring my vision. I gripped the chair harder
Healer Flames stood up. "Are you alright, Luna?"
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine." I sucked in a sharp breath as a stabbing pain shot through the back of my head.
"I'll accompany you to the bathroom," my Seeker said.
"That's – that's very kind, but I can handle this myself." I turned on my heel and sped out of the room, closing the door behind me.
The pain was nauseating. My world rocked back and forth.
I grabbed the doorknob to keep my balance. I had passed a bathroom on my way to navigate my Host's memories. Which hallway was that?
I think it was the
Wait. No. How many hallways did I walk down?
Look.
Left.
Right.
No. They're all
Exactly
The Same.
The bathroom was
It's where I need to go. I need to get there before
I need to get there quickly.
Star Blanket passes me.
No.
Please.
Not now.
I turn too fast. The world is spinning. Around and around and around and around…
The pain.
It turns my vision red. It's everywhere. I just want it to stop. Please. Just stop.
"Hello." The single word is too loud. Loud, like something crashing. Grinding metal.
It's Star Blanket.
I need to tell him I have to go. But I can't. My voice is so weak.
"I need to get…" My voice is strangled.
"I need to leave." Now.
I need to escape. I start to stumble down the hallway. Star Blanket rushes to my side. My vision is shifting, but I can see alarm cross his face
"Help!" He calls down the hallway.
No. No help, I don't need it.
But it just…hurts…so…much.
I'm sinking, falling into the warmth of the darkness.
My stomach is hot, and my throat is burning. There's a rancid taste in my mouth.
Vomiting.
I am vomiting.
But the darkness calls to me, enfolding me in its curtain. Here I am safe.
I blacked out.
Cliffhanger!
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Alright. I'm going to go eat a sandwich now, so I must leave.
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