That was not Ian… That much was obvious. He wasn't Ian, but he was human.
How was there a human standing over me, and one I had never seen at that? The only humans I had seen were those in the cave. I found it hard to believe there were more beyond those.
At the same time as astonishment and relief filled me, dread and panic escaped as well. Because, as amazing as it was to see a human, it was a human and I was a soul. Humans hated souls; human's tried to cut souls from human bodies…cut souls. I'm a soul. Will they try to cut me from this body?
Memories of silver blood and lifeless bodies strewn across the floor flashed past my eyes. Bile rose in my throat, the hard metal of the bed beneath me made me feel like an insect beneath a telescope. Would I be one of those lifeless bodies?
I gazed silently up at the brown-eyed man, wondering if somewhere beyond this room Ian was looking for me.
Those intense brown eyes narrowed, scrutinising me, searching my face for something that was clear from his furrowed brows wasn't there.
"What were you saying?" He eventually asked.
I was surprised at the pain in his voice, it so contrasted the hardness of his eyes, the firm line of his lips. At first I could not answer, but then the desperation began to show on his face and I felt an answering wave of concern. "Ian," I grumbled, my eyes flickering from side to side, searching as if he'd magically appear. "I need Ian,"
"Ian, huh?" The man grinned, he reached out a hand and I watched in a daze as his fingers closed over the thin white haze over my face and lifted the fabric.
Surprised that there was actually something over me, I blinked rapidly taking in the room anew. It was clearer, more detailed. With my renewed sight the man looked familiar, but I knew without a doubt I had never met him before.
Brown eyes scrutinised me, "Ian…" he said again and chuckled harshly, I cringed. "He your boyfriend?"
"No," I muttered, still looking from side to side in search of… an escape? Or maybe a clue to where exactly I was. "No,"
"Oh, a friend then?"
Silver eyes found brown ones; confused at the relief I could hear in his voice, I frowned. He was smiling; his eyes soft like melted chocolate, warm and filled with bright tears.
"No," I frowned, turning my head to see his face clearer. Was he okay? "Ian is my forever,"
He wasn't okay. That was clear, if anything my answer worsened the tears and they began to fall. He chuckled lightly, dashing the water away. "Just my luck,"
"Where am I?" I asked quietly, pulling at my arms again, they were impossible to move. Shifting further I could now see the restraints on my arms, holding me down to the table. At first they worried me but the thought was soon overtaken by the overwhelming urge to laugh. Laugh I did.
Did they think this tiny body was strong? I could not possibly do anything to permit restraints; after all I was a soul. Between the weak muscles and clear lack in height, I doubted anyone could think me a threat. As Jamie had said, no one could harbour hatred against this small face. I had saw it myself time and time again. This weakness…it compelled people to protect it.
This, I rationalised was what was supposed to keep me from such situations as these, that's what this body was chosen for. Why Pet was chosen… to keep me safe.
"You're safe here." Brown eyes was saying, he reached out a hand to recover me with the thin white gauze, a faint down turn of his lips suggesting his dislike for my questions and answers. "Rest, we'll talk later."
"No!" The word slipped from my lips, high-pitched and whiny. I tried again, pleading with this brown-eyed stranger. "Is he here? Is Ian here? Are they safe? Please, don't hurt them," My eyes flickered to the gauze and my throat closed, I did not want to be under that again. I did not want to feel like a corpse covered in cloth or an intruder looking through another's eyes. Parasite or not, this body was mine now – there was no Pet to claim it or sweet human girl lurking in my head, it was mine. "Don't cover me, please." I begged, aware of the sing-song appeal parting my lips.
He paused, considering my words, and looked away. His dark head reminded me of the smudged purple cave walls and longing for my home washed through me.
"On one condition," he muttered quietly and I almost missed it.
"Please," I beseeched desperately.
His head turned and those earnest eyes landed on me like lead. "Your name,"
Was that all? A smile spread my lips in joy. "It's Wanda,"
"Well, Wanda, call me Jean."
Warmth seared my cheeks and my lips fell apart. That name, it was a memory: mine, no Pet's, before Pet, before us, it was all of ours, a faded thought of a life before this body was anyone's except its own.
"Jean," It forced its way out on a sigh.
Hi, sorry for the drama. I actually hated writing this chapter because a part of me just wants to write fluff and have a happy ending, then there is THIS side of me who thrives on the drama and constant yo-yoing. I apologise for not revealing the secrets. I will make the next chapter longer and share it all with you.
Please review if you have a moment.