Chapter five

….

I laughed as I twirled Jamie underneath my arm. The Jive music blared from our large radio as we all danced in time. It had been yesterday that Jamie had suggested we hold a dance party and we did just that. Ethan was dancing the day away with Melanie who was smiling like someone in love. We were having fun, minding our own business. It was as if we were in our own personal bubble where the seekers couldn't reach us. We were happy and living as though we had been doing this for decades.

"Alright, step aside and see how it's really done." Jared said as he stepped into Jamie's place. I smiled and grabbed his outstretched hand in mine. I had never known Jared was a dancer until this moment. He twirled and dipped me like a professional. I remember watching dancing with the stars with my mom, we used to love that show. Now I felt like I was living it. Jared pulled me straight into his chest and wrapped his arms around me as we laughed. If the moment couldn't have gotten any more beautiful it started to pour. With just one clap of thunder the rain came down like a flood.

"Come on, Jamie let's get inside!" Melanie exclaimed and grabbed the radio, hurrying inside. Ethan laughed and grabbed Jamie, lifting him up over his shoulder as he ran inside after her. I smiled and grabbed Jared's hand. We made it to the side of the house before he pulled me back. He planted his lips on mine and backed me up into the house. The feeling of his body pressed against mine was exhilarating. The way he kissed me made me feel safe, loved, cared for. It was as if he was telling me that he would never let me go. That he would treasure me always. It was moments like these that I lived for now. That I cherished more than gold.

….

I snapped out of my trance. Pressed pause on the movie. The emotions were overwhelming, it was as though my head was fogged by thoughts and words. I could not see clearly.

What's wrong? Are the memories too painful?

How do you think I feel?

Before speaking out loud i glanced over at Wanderer, who was resting peacefully in the passenger seat. Her head was propped up against the window as she curled into a ball. I couldn't help feel a bit...envious of her. I was tired of driving and wished I could rest as well. I shook my head almost violently to shake the alluring thought from my mind and focused back on the situation at hand.

"I know how you feel. That's the problem." I whispered to Rebecca as I looked out the windshield. The land before us was covered in an orange dust, the single road was cracked and worn, it looked like the red planet I had once lived on. Barren and deserted.

When you take the body, the feelings come with it.

It's a package deal.

"Where are we?" I asked still looking around. This isn't right, there should be grass and houses, people should be here walking peacefully along the sidewalks. This was not our destination.

"You sent us in the wrong direction! You have been putting thoughts in my head to distract me!" I exclaimed twisting the wheel. The tires squealed as the car twisted around. I floored it as I tried to keep my anger down.

"Wanderer, wake up." I said, reaching over to shake her shoulder. She slowly began to waken and yawned looking around.

"Where are we?" She asked.

"I am sorry Wanderer. Rebecca has been putting thoughts in my head. The Seekers were right. You are an unreasonable and unthankful species. We try to help you and this is how you thank us?! We are going to Fort Worth." I said, putting my mind to it.

Sorry, can't let you do that.

Well, we could have worked something out, but it's too late now. Perhaps I should just let the Seeker take me out. It would save me the trouble.

NO!

The car swerved, tires squealing as Rebecca took control. Both Wanderer and I screamed as we flipped into the air. We hit the ground hard and rolled across the road and onto the sand. Dust, glass and metal flew around the car, hitting my skin and bouncing off as we came to a sudden stop.

Oh my God! Myriad are you ok? Are wanderer and Melanie ok?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.

"It's fine." I coughed and slowly exited the vehicle. I was sore, but from what I could tell there was no major injury.

"What now?" I asked, walking over to stand by Wanderer who had also gotten out of the car.

We walk.

"She says we have to walk." I told her. Wanderer nodded and walked a few feet away I went to follow her, but Rebecca stopped me.

Don't. She's probably talking to Melanie.

"But then why would she move away from us?" I whispered to her as I searched for the water bottle I had found in the car.

Crazy or not, nobody really wants to speak to themselves around other people.

I sighed and stood straight looking around for anything that could help us. Even if we were to walk, which way would we go?

Well you can go my way, or you can go your own way and kill all of us.

Listen Myriad, I made a promise to Jamie, just like Melanie did.

I told him that I would see him soon. That I would see him again.

And my brother. I need to know if he's alright. I need to know that he made it to the cabin.

And…Jared. I know you don't understand and until you find your own love you may never understand, but I need to find him. I need to see him. I love him.

You're right. I do not understand. How could I have been so foolish? How do I know if I can trust you again? You've already betrayed me once.

I'm giving you exactly what you wanted in the first place!

I'm leading you straight to my friends, my family, the people I love!

I'm giving you exact memories, exact direction, your saving these pictures in your head.

Everything I'm doing could get them killed.

I paused thinking her words through. She was right. If the Seeker found us and did indeed take me out only to have her replace me then no one would be safe. Jared, Jamie, Ethan, they would all be exposed, all be in danger. She was risking everything by bringing me here. The least I could do was trust her.

Okay, you win. Which way?

We head east.

"Myriad, Melanie has shared with me the direction of our travels. She says we are to go east. That Rebecca will also know the way." I looked at her and smiled. She did look like such a small thing and it didn't help that she was covered in orange dirt, red cuts and sprouting bruises.

Well I'm sure we don't look so great either.

Now come on.

I laughed and waited for Wanderer to join me by my side again before heading off into the desert.

Don't leave tracks.

Walk on the rocks.

This is going to be a very long journey. Are you sure you know where you are going? I wish not to endanger any of our lives by doing this.

Don't worry about it. We can do this.

It should be easy. I wouldn't be surprised if the cabin is right over those sand dunes.

We'll be fine…I think…I hope.

The sun beat down on us like a thousand burning stars. I could not feel my face, nor could I feel my feet which had grown almost completely numb sometime during our walk. My lips were parched, I felt as though they would fall off if I did not get water. I'm not sure why neither Wanderer nor I had stopped, but my body seemed to be on constant reply. It was as if the controls had dried up along with my mind. Take a few steps, stop, take a few steps, look up into the sky, and repeat. It was my process. It was the only thing that seemed to keep me sane.

"Do we have any water?" I asked out loud. I had given up my dignity a while back and know spoke to Rebecca freely as did Wanderer with Melanie. If we began talking out of nowhere we would leave it alone unless called on for it usually meant we were talking to ourselves, well, rather that we were talking to our roommates.

Yes, but let Melanie have it. We don't need it.

"Speak for yourself." I told her, eyeing the small amount of water in Wanderers hand.

I am speaking for myself. Keep that in mind.

I just sighed, too tired to fight with her today.

"We've been walking for ages. How do you think you're going to find them?" Wanderer spoke. It almost seemed foreign to hear her voice for she had not spoken in quite some time.

She has a point. How do you expect us to find them?

Melanie's Uncle had a cabin out here in the desert.

We were heading out here to join him. If he survived.

It's further than I thought.

I don't know how much farther I can go.

We've walked too far to walk back now.

So we keep going.

Yes. We just keep going.