Disclaimer: I don't own The Host, and I'm cool with that. What? Would you like to get ran over by mobs of rabid fan girls? I think not.
Author's Note: So how did you like that last little chapter (I refuse to use the term chappie)? Epic, no? Well, it's going to get even more epic, for our little Rains has forgotten her cell phone. Muahaha, I am evil. The theme song for this chapter is "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. It's such a good song. I remember the first time I heard it was a year ago at my friend's sisters' birthday party. Ever since I've been hooked. It's probably the best love song of the 21st century. Give it a listen sometime.
The Perfect Tune: A Burns Story
Chapter 5: Crescendo
Burns POV
I woke up with a new, fresh outlook on life. Why couldn't I enjoy myself for once in my life? Rains, she was all I've ever wanted. My host, Dan, would've wanted this.
"Good morning," Rains murmured into my shirt. I reached over and began to stroke her hair. She sighed contentedly. "That feels nice."
I crept out from underneath her. She still laid there, motionless. I kissed her forehead before leaving.
I ran to my room to grab some clothes. I picked my favorite shirt, my lucky one. The one I was wearing when I met Nate and the other rebels.
"Hey Burns," Nate grumbled. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"Hey."
"So, you found her, huh?" Nate knew all about my Dan's dreams, and had no problem with helping me, giving advice and such.
My lips tingled from when I kissed her. I blushed, looking down at my torn up sneakers. "Yeah, I guess."
He grinned. "I'm happy for you, son."
I was taken aback by this. Nate had a son before he started the rebel group. He got taken by the souls. Ever since he's had a rough spot for the souls, with me being the exception. Him calling me son, it's like him forgiving the souls for taking his real child.
Were humans always so profound when they woke up? I guess I'd never know.
"Thanks, Nate." I walked over and gave him a quick hug before running off to the washroom.
I dropped my clothes on the ground and sat down to unlace my shoes.
"Now what have we here?" I said out loud, picking up the cell phone that lay there. I read one of the text messages.
"Rains, Seeker meeting. 12:00. I love you, Shards."
I clutched the phone in my hand, emotion draining away. Rains couldn't be a traitor! She, just couldn't. Her soul was too pure.
That was it. She was too perfect. Too good to be true. There had to be a secret behind all of that wavy black hair, and here it was.
Funny thing was, I still loved her. I loved her with all my heart, no matter how hard I tried to hate her. That's the way we souls were. We could never hate, it wasn't in our nature. For once, I wished I could be back on the Fire Planet, relieved of all of these confusing emotions.
I got up and stumbled to Jeb's, completely forgetting my bath and my clothes.
"Jeb," I called.
He rolled out of bed, scratching his chin. "What is it now? Don't make me shoot you."
I rolled my eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if that gun is filled with cheesies and not bullets."
"You want to find out?" He said, standing up.
"No, no. Look at this," I said, handing him the cell phone.
He looked at the phone for a long time, scrolling through the different messages.
"Well, we got to go get Jared."
Rains POV
I woke up, placing a hand on my forehead, where Burns had kissed me.
My head pounded from all of the crying, my back ached from lying on the rocky ground. But I forged on, walking to Jamie's room.
"Jamie?" I called from the doorway.
"Yeah?" I was surprised how cheerful Jamie was, even after just waking up. Maybe it was the same with all human children. But, I'd never know.
I explained everything, Jamie nodding and commenting the whole time.
"Well, we'd better go to Jeb. He'd understand. He's not so bad anyway. He won't hurt you."
"Okay."
I followed Jamie through the winding hallways and passages. I wondered if I'd ever be able to get out on my own!
"Okay here we are…" He paused, looking up at Jared. He stood in the doorway, an angry expression painted on his face.
"Jared?"
He said one word, and I knew I was done for: "Seeker."
Damnit, I thought. Why'd I have to forget the phone?! Is God just mean to me? For laughs?
No. That's just a scapegoat. Blaming God, ha. He brought me Burns. And he was all I needed.
He grabbed my hair, dragging me inside. I withheld screams, tears leaking down my cheeks.
"Jared, stop!" I shrieked, after I could take no more. Jamie was trying to push Jared, having no avail whatsoever.
"Stop? You stop! Look what you've been doing to Burns!" He pulled me up by my hair.
The sight brought more tears to my eyes. Burns looked like a zombie from one of those human films. His cheeks were hollowed, his eyes glassy. He smiled sheepishly, reaching out to touch my cheek. It made me cry more.
I didn't deserve Burns! I wasn't good enough. Even if I killed someone, I bet he'd be by my side, loving me the whole way. His love was unconditional and pure, while mine was diluted with betrayal.
Shards wasn't the same way. If I did something wrong, he'd probably leave me, find a new pretty soul to be with. But for some reason, the thought made me want him more. He was a prize that I'd coveted, and now that I had him, I couldn't let him go.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"It's okay," he replied, also in a whisper.
More tears. "No! You're not supposed to forgive me! Hate me, Burns. Please." I stared up at him through long, wet lashes.
"The parasite is right, Burns. She shouldn't deserve your love," Jared said, fire in his eyes.
"I don't know!" Burns cried, holding his head in his hands.
"Oh Burns," I whispered, stroking his red hair.
"Don't touch him!" Jared yelled, throwing me to the ground. I screamed in pain, feeling the bone in my arm shatter.
Burns stood up, all previous sadness disappearing, being replaced with anger. "Jared!"
I smiled through the red haze. "It's okay, Burns. I love you," I whispered, before blacking out.
Burns POV
I ran over to her, cradling her in my arms. She looked so fragile, like a crystal vase or a dried flower. Her arm was definitely broken, and there was blood seeping through her white shirt.
And she said she loved me! She felt the way I did for her, and this proved it. I felt as if I was on Cloud Nine, along with the anger and outrage I felt towards Jared. So many emotions, my ears rang and my head ached.
"Why did you do that!?" I whispered furiously, as if Rains could hear.
"We have to extract her, Burns." Jared said sternly.
"No!" This wasn't fair. All I've done for these humans, and the one time I ask for something, it's just yanked out from under me!
"I'm sorry Burns, but she's a danger to us all."
"Why can't we just get rid of the cell phone?"
"She's still dangerous. I am sorry. Just take one for the team."
This was different. I wasn't the masochistic guy I was yesterday. I was truly in love. And she loved me back!
"What about my week? Let me have my week, please." I looked to Jeb with pleading eyes.
Jeb thought for a moment. "Alright. You're lucky I'm such a softy."
"Thank you, Jeb."
"Well, we'd better get Rains to Doc. Oh, and someone better take the kid," he said, gesturing to the hallway. Jamie had fallen asleep on the ground, sitting against the wall.
"I'll take Rains. Jared, you can take Jamie."
"But…" I glared protectively at him. "Okay."
I didn't have as much of a hard time carrying Rains as I thought. She was surprisingly light. I liked to imagine that invisible angels were carrying her.
My love, carried by angels.
It was nice to think about, honestly.
I set her on the operating table, caressing her cheek. I love you too, I thought. I hope you'll be able to hear this with your own ears someday.
"Oh my God!" Doc called, running in. I'd be thinking the same thing, honestly. Blood matted her hair and stained her clothes. Her arm twisted in a way that made me wince with pain myself.
I explained all that happened. Doc put a consoling arm around me before turning to fix up Rains.
"The bone's totaled, and there's some trauma to the head," he muttered under his breath.
"What can you do?"
"I can cast the arm and put it in a sling. As for the catatonia, we'll just have to hope she makes it through."
I was hoping, hoping with all my heart.
Author's Note: Two words: epic win. Hope you liked it! Please review! It would make me ever so happy. All reviews will be donated to the National Excessive Sarcasm Syndrome Support Group (NESSG). I don't know how that's supposed to make sense, but I hope it will make you want to review more.