Jared Howe

Jared is Melanie’s true love and a fellow rogue human who has managed to evade being captured by the Souls. Not much is revealed about Jared’s life before the invasion, but prior to meeting Melanie, he only relied on himself not even speaking to another human being for two years. After meeting each other on a house raid, he becomes instant partners with her and they and Jamie set off to protect themselves. When Melanie spots her cousin on the television she is adamant on finding her, but insists that Jared and Jamie do not come. Instead, she instructs Jared on finding her uncle Jeb and his base camp. Jared reluctantly does so and when “Melanie” shows up at the camp, he is devastated and furious. Although it is the body of the woman he loves, he shows absolutely no affection for her. When Jeb bestows upon Jared the decision of what to do with Melanie/Wanderer, he cannot shake his devotion to Melanie and decides to let Wanderer live, but under his watch.

When Melanie first meets Jared, he is wildly enthusiastic and grateful to meet another human. In Melanie’s memories, Jared is presented in a good light and this is partly why Wanderer’s feelings for Jared are so strong. However, bitterness soon overcomes Jared’s thoughts and actions when Melanie returns to him as a host. After time, Jared reluctantly begins to accept Wanderer and soon after he finds out that Melanie is still present, he becomes one of Wanderer’s main protectors.

Jared is presented as a resourceful man with an excellent instinct for survival. While still above ground, he replicates the insertion scar on his neck in order to protect himself from the Souls and walk amongst them. After finding Jeb’s base, he proves to be an asset with his experience and success in raids for food and supplies.

Jared is the one of the prime reasons that Wanderer decides to abandon her task. When she absorbs all of Melanie’s memories, she also adopted Melanie’s love for Jared. Later in the novel, Jared and Ian develop somewhat of a rivalry, as they each vie for one of the girls in Melanie’s body.

In addition to Jensen Ackles, the following are some popular choices of actors that fans have cast for the role of Jared:

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