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Chapter 57 opens with Jeb, Doc, Jared, and Ian gathered for the tribunal that (they think) will decide Wanderer’s fate. Wanderer begins by asking Doc how the Healer (Candy) is doing. When he assures her she’s doing about the same, he also tells Wanderer that Sunny has been successfully extracted from Jodi, and that Jodi’s body has yet to wake up. Though the official tribunal hasn’t started yet, Wanderer notes inwardly that whatever is decided there won’t change her mind. She wishes that there were a way for all of them to be happy, and for her to stay with Ian while Mel can have her body back to be with Jared, but dismisses it to herself as impossible.
“Okay,” Jeb said. “Wanda, what’s your side?”
“I’m giving Melanie back.” Firm, short – no reasons to argue against.
When Jeb then asks Ian what his side is, he states that Wanda is needed in the caves. Wanderer argues that if any of them were in Melanie’s shoes, they’d want their bodies back too, and it’s wrong to deny her that. When Ian states that having Wanderer there serves the greater good of the cave community, Jared speaks for the first time and asks Wanda what Melanie thinks about it all. Wanda attempts to lie and tells them that Melanie wants her body back, but Ian calls her on her intended deception. He can see her arguing with Melanie in her head. As Ian, Jared, and Jeb discuss the pros and cons of the situation Wanderer shoots an meaningful look at Doc to signal that no matter what the tribunal decides, he must still stick to his word and remove her from Melanie. Doc’s pained returning glance assures her that he understood her reminder.
When Jared becomes frustrated with the opposition to separating Wanderer and Melanie, he tells Jeb that leaving Melanie trapped inside of a body that isn’t completely hers is like murder. Ian angrily retorts that removing Wanda is murder as well – to both her and to the community. As their argument heats up, Jeb takes the reigns of the meeting and shares his take on everything. He feels that Wanda is right about Melanie needing her body back, but he doesn’t agree that Wanderer can kick herself out of the caves because of the great good she does for the community. Jared suggests if that is the case, then the solution is simple – they can find Wanderer another body. Though the others think it is a good idea, Wanderer frantically refuses and states that she doesn’t want to continue being a parasite or to take another human’s life away.
She also lies and says that it’s possible that her new host might betray them. When she cries, Ian moves immediately to put his arms around her and tells her that she doesn’t have to go through that. Then Jeb asks the question that could ruin her whole plan.
“Hold on, Wanda,” Jeb said, his shrewd eyes suddenly sharper. “How does going to one of those other planets help you? You’ll still be a parasite, kid.”
Wanda quickly tries to explain that other hosts are less individualized, and that it wouldn’t feel the same as stealing a human life. She ends the tribunal, telling them that a decision can be made later and also tells Doc she will be seeing him soon.
With Ian at her side, she leaves the rec room and realizes there are three things she needs to do before she meets Doc. First, she eats some food so she doesn’t leave Melanie with an empty stomach. Second, she goes to see Sunny and Jodi in the hospital, letting people know that talking to a host who has recently had a Soul extracted could help them to fight their way back to consciousness. She notices Kyle is gently cradling Sunny’s cryotank. After listening to Doc, Ian and Kyle trying to ‘wake’ Jodi, Wanderer worries that people will forget her when Melanie is back. Melanie insists that the best people will remember and miss her, and tells her that though she doesn’t agree with Wanda’s plan, she can’t see how to stop it from happening. Kyle breaks into the silent discussion and apologizes to Wanda for trying to kill her. Wanda is surprised, and happy that she got something she didn’t expect before she died – Kyle’s acceptance. Knowing that the time has finally come, Wanda does her third and final task before going to see Doc – she lies to Ian, claiming she is tired.
As they walk through the tunnels, she knows that her extraction must be done tonight. She asks Melanie to say goodbye for her and to take care of all of them, including Ian. Melanie agrees to follow through. When they get to the bedroom wing, Wanda goes into Ian’s room. She lets him believe that she is just hiding from Jamie. Ian puts his arms around her and Wanda tells him goodbye without actually saying the words.
“I truly love you, Ian.” It was the only way I could tell him goodbye. The only way he would accept. I knew he would remember later and understand. “With my whole soul, I love you.”
After a few minutes, Ian falls deeply asleep and his arms unwrap from around Wanda just as she knew they would. She kisses him on the forehead and leaves the room quietly. She walks down the hallway and passes a few people, pausing only to notice that Lily is doing better. She continues into the black tunnel, admitting to Melanie that she is very afraid. Before Melanie answers, a hand drops onto her shoulder and someone asks where she’s going.
