He never gets used to the fact that Melanie isn't Melanie anymore. Every time he turns a corner something in his heart squeezes tight at the fact that she is alive and here with him.
Only she isn't anymore.
This isn't Melanie, only her shell. There is something else inside her, something alien (in the truest sense of the word).
Melanie is gone.
But sometimes it's hard to remember that, what with the way he sees her eyes light up whenever he is around.
And then he remembers. Her eyes aren't lighting up, only reflecting the silver rings in their depths.