Disclaimer: I didn't come up with the Host, or the caves, or Jared, Jamie or Melanie, and while we're on that Maleficent.
Chapter 16
ALPOV
There was raid coming up. I was determined to go. I would ask Jared about it. They were looking for volunteers to go. It would be a big one. No secrets were kept here. After the football game I spoke to Jared.
"Jared? You got a minute?"
"Yeah kid what's up?" he said turning away from his girlfriend. I cringed inwardly and balled up my fist at the nick-name. I was not simply a "kid" I was grown up enough to be a man.
"There's a raid coming up this week and I want to help out."
"Ha, sorry kid. Stay here and go to school."
"I'm not a kid anymore." I said looking him straight in the eye seriously. By now the conversation had died down around us and I felt people's eyes on me.
"Go on" said Jared.
I was mad. He was trying to humiliate me. "For two whole years, I led my family through the desert. We weren't caught by seekers. Not once did I ever lose someone or leave them behind. We made it here alive. Even if we hadn't found you we'd still be just fine. I'm not a kid and I can handle something as simple as going on a raid."
Jared turned his back on me and left. It was silent everyone stared. Dan and Jamie wouldn't look at me. I left too.
As I walked back to the hospital a plan was forming in my head. I was only in the hospital a few minutes when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and found myself staring at Jared girlfriend. Her name started with an M. What was it? Mellissa, Maleficent, Melanie...Melanie. Yes that was it.
"Wanna talk a minute Alex?"
'Not really."
Ignoring me she sat down on a cot across from me. I stared off into space trying to pretend she wasn't there.
"You know you're just like him."
I stared back at her confused. "Like who?"
"Jared" she said and before she got up and left.
Was I like Jared? Well it wasn't such a bad thing was it?
I wasn't a kid. Someday other people would have to realize that.
A/N: I like this chapter. Do you? Please review.