Chapter 17: Visited

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Jeb shows Wanderer the washroom area, which is basically a collection of rivers, streams, crevices, and a deep hole that has been dug. Practical and convenient, but still completely dangerous.

As Jeb and Wanderer make their way back to her prison, they stumble upon a young boy who is waiting there for them. It’s Jamie, Melanie’s younger brother. When Wanderer (and Melanie) realize who it is, Wanderer has to do her best to keep Melanie from reacting in any way that may bring suspicion. Melanie is aware that the slightest word or action could throw off the humans and result in her death, but she fiercely yearns to be with Jamie. Wanderer feels this too, but she does not allow herself. Instead, she attempts to ignore him and pretend she doesn’t care. Eventually, she can’t hold in her feelings and she begins to cry.

Jamie speaks and Wanderer is shocked at how low is voice is, alerting her that he has grown since Melanie was last with him. Jamie and Jeb argue about Wanderer and he inquires why he was not told about his sister. Wanderer notes how much more bitter Jamie seems to be while Melanie regretfully sobs. When Jeb asks Jamie what he wants, Jamie just replies that he wants to speak to her/”it”. He asks Wanderer what happened to his sister and Wanderer tells him how Melanie was caught. Jamie, unlike Jared and the other boys, is gentle when he speaks to Wanderer and he seems genuinely curious about how she came to inhabit his sister’s body.

Their chat is soon interrupted by an angry Jared who gets mad at Jeb for letting Jamie see the soul. The three men get into a spat and Wanderer fears that Jared might hit Jamie. Melanie, who has calmed down, assures her that it isn’t possible. The boys continue to argue and Jamie is especially bothered by the fact that Wanderer has been beat up so badly. He insists that even though the body is a host, it is still Melanie’s body. Jared does not have a rebuttal to this and tells Jamie that they will talk about the situation after Jared has calmed down. Jamie complies and leaves. Jared then instructs Jeb to leave too, but not before asking him if he would be willing to shoot “it” at that very moment. Jeb replies that he would have to, if that’s what Jared’s decision is.