Jared snatched his bag off of his bed and threw it over his shoulder. "Mel, you coming?" he called, smiling as she frantically searched through his clothes for something to wear. She didn't have any things of her own, yet, and wasn't going to take all of Wanda's stuff. Not that Wanda would mind it at all when she got back, but she still felt wrong taking them. Instead, she was filling one of Jared's backpacks with his smaller t-shirts and unused toothbrushes. She'd have to survive in her current pair of jeans for a few days, at least until they had the chance to raid for some clothes.
"Yeah, one sec," she said, zipping the pack closed. She slipped her arms through it and met Jared by the door. Their hands unconsciously entangled and they walked down the tunnel together, heading towards the entrance to the desert.
"Are you nervous?" Jared asked, noticing Mel's searching eyes. She always did that when she was anxious; looking around as if waiting for something to attack her. "Don't be, babe. I'll keep you safe."
"I know," Mel said, nudging him in the side. She hated appearing weak, even in front of Jared. "I just really want Wanda back. I miss her a lot."
Jared sighed, not wanting to discuss the topic. Yes, he had gotten along with Wanda after a while. But no, he didn't exactly miss her. I mean, how could you miss the Soul that took over your girlfriend's body? He knew that Melanie hated when he talked about Wanda like that, but he couldn't help himself. He just didn't understand it.
They reached the cave's entrance, where Jeb, Ian and Jamie were all waiting, talking to themselves. Jamie was jumping up and down with excitement. He thought of Wanda as his second sister and had missed her like crazy over the last day or so. Ian was standing quietly with his arms wrapped around Wanda's cyrotank, clutching it with his life. Jeb was blabbering on about the regular rules of the raid to Jamie, who had only been on a few in his time here at the caves. "Ah, look who decided to show up," Jeb chuckled as Jared and Mel came into view.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Jared laughed. "So, we ready or not?"
Melanie squeezed Jamie into a hug, despite his protests, and looked expectantly towards Jeb. "Yeah, 'think so," Jeb grinned. "Now, you make sure you keep 'em safe, Jared. I don't want ta lose my niece again."
"I will," Jared promised. "Ian, are you going to come?" He had said no earlier, but maybe he changed him mind.
"I . . no. Just, please, Jared. Be quick," he begged, looking down at the cylinder in his hands.
"We will, Ian," Melanie smiled before hugging him. He hugged her back lightly before pulling away. "We'll be back soon." She smiled as Ian stalked off to his room, Jeb following.
Jared turned to Mel and Jamie, now in full-on raid-mode. "Okay, Mel, let me tell you what to do. First you-"
"Jared," Mel sighed. "I know what to do. I went on the raids with Wanda, too, you know?" Jared looked down in reply. "On the count of three?"
Jared nodded and faced the cave entrance. Jamie jumped up and down, prepping himself, while Melanie just took a ready stance. "One. Two. THREE!" The three of them burst out into a run, sprinting across the open desert. The wind blew sand in their faces but they kept dashing, racing towards the Jeep. After a few minutes, their breathing grew heavier as they tired. But none of them stopped. The threat was too big. Instead, they pushed on until they reached the vehicle, safe at last. Jamie slumped against the side of the car, catching his breath. Mel took a quick swig of her water and let out a sigh of relief. Jared didn't even bother to do either, but rather got to work immediately on the Jeep, loading everybody's bags inside and hanging the tarp over the back of the car. The three climbed in, Mel and Jared in front and Jamie in back. "Let's raid," Jared smiled, switching on the Jeep and driving carefully through the desert.
After a few hours of driving, they reached the city. Mel was sleeping, her head pressed gently against the window. Jamie was looking out the window, sunglasses on, and keeping a watch for any host-contenders. Jared was driving steadily with sunglasses pushed over his eyes. He was on edge. This wasn't a regular raid and was much more dangerous. Though they had captured Souls before, they had never been specific about it. They just grabbed the first ones they could. But now, they had to look for a specific body. It would be hard.
"Jared?" Jamie whispered, careful not to wake Mel.
"Yeah, kid?" He replied, turning down a street to avoid a group of Souls watching the roads.
"Can I pick her out?"
"Uh, sure, why not?" Jared sighed. "As long as Mel agrees with it. You know she'll have her say.
"Cool. Thanks!" Jamie replied before turning his attention back to the window. After a couple of hours, Melanie had taken over driving while Jared slept. Jamie was still wide awake, talking casually about what Wanda should look like. "Maybe blonde hair. I feel like she's a blonde. Oh! And she should be kind of small, right? I wanna be taller than her." Mel just laughed at him as she turned onto a seemingly quiet neighborhood. "What if we don't find the perfect match?"
"I'm sure you'll know her when you see her," Mel shrugged. "Like a wedding dress. They say that when you try it on you just know."
"Yeah, maybe." Jamie kept watching for a little while until he gasped, smiling wide. "How old should she be, Mel?"
"Well, you don't want her to be a little kid. Wanda would kill me. But since this is her last life, we want her to live longer. So, someone healthy and young-ish. Got it?"
"Yup," Jamie nodded. They waited in silence for a little while, driving through the neighborhood.
"Mel, look! Jared, wake up," he whisper-screamed. She shook Jared, who yawned and stretched. "Look over there!"
The couple turned their heads simultaneously to where Jamie was pointing. A short, skinny blonde girl was walking down the street. She looked about sixteen or seventeen with her small frame. "She's perfect!" Jamie exclaimed. The girl had blonde hair like he wanted. Definitely not tough looking, but innocent and sweet, just like Wanda. She would be hard to dislike; maybe even Sharon and Maggie would accept her in this body. Her smile was almost contagious, and her beauty was impossible to miss. She had a perfect face: flawless skin, long lashes, rosy lips.
"I like her," Melanie agreed, nodding her head. Jared agreed, saying something about how no one could hurt or distrust her. "People would want to protect her," he added. She looked so innocent.
"She looks like an angel. Just like Wanda," Jamie smiled. "So what do we do?"
"We go after her!" Mel grinned devilishly, sliding out of the car. Jared called after her, but she kept walking, heading towards the girl. Mel was set on this body for Wanda, and there was no way of stopping her.