The Host

Dreamed (continued)

Something hits the floor with a thud. He's dropped the knife? I try to think of a way to get it. Maybe if I fall. The hand on my neck isn't tight enough to keep me from yanking free. I think I heard where the blade landed.
He spins me around suddenly. There is a click, and light blinds my left eye. I gasp and automatically try to twist away from it. His hand tightens in my hair . The light flickers to my right eye.
"I can't believe it," he whispers. "You're still human."
His hands grab my face from both sides, and before I can pull free, his lips come down hard on mine. I jerked my knee up in a sharp thrust.
He chokes out a wheezing sound, and I'm free. Instead of running for the front of the house again like he expects, I duck under his arm and leap through the open door. I think I can outrun him, even with my load. I've got a head start, and he's still making pained noises. I know where I'm going- I won't leave a path he can see in the dark. I never dropped the dropped the food, and that's good.
"Wait!" he yells.
Shut up, I think, but I don't yell back.
He's running after me. I can hear his voice getting closer. "I'm not one of them!"
Sure. I keep my eyes on the sand and sprint.
"Listen to me!" He's still yelling at full volume. "Look I'll prove it. Just stop and look at me!"
Not likely. I pivot off the wash and flit through the mesquites.
"I didn't think there was anyone left! Please, I need to talk to you!"
His voice surprises me-it is too close.
"I'm sorry I kissed you! That was stupid! I've just been alone so long!"
"Shut up!" I don't say it loudly, but I know he hears. He's getting even closer. I've never been outrun before. I push my legs harder.
There's a low grunt to his breathing as he speeds up, too.
Something big flies into my back, and I'm pinned by something so heavy I can hardly breathe.
"Wait. A. Minute," he huffs.
He shifts his weight and rolls me over. He straddles my chest, trapping my arms under his legs. He is squishing my food. I growl and try to squirm out from under him.
"Look, look, look!" he says. He pulls a small cylinder from his hip pocket and twist the top off. A beam of light shoots out the end. He turns the flashlight on his face.
His eyes, clear liquid sienna in the illumination, shine with no more than human reflection. He bounces the light between both eyes.
"See?See? I'm just like you."
"Let me see your neck." Suspicion is thick in my voice. I don't let myself believe that this is more than a trick. I don't understand the point of the charade, but I'm sure there is one.
His lips twist. "Well...that won't exactly help anything. Aren't the eyes enough? You know I'm not one of them."
"Then why won't you show me your neck?"
"Because I have a scar there," he admits.
I try to squirm out from under him again, and his hands pin my shoulder down.
"It's self inflicted," he explains. "I think I did a hell of a good job, though it hurt like hell. I don't have all that pretty hair to cover my neck. The scar helps me blend in."
"Get off of me."
He gets to his feet and hold one out, palm up, to me.
"Please don't run away."
"Who are you?"
He smiles. "My name is Kyle James."
"Im Cassidy Ramon."
"Cassidy Ramon," he repeats. "I cant tell you how delighted I am to meet you."
"What now?"
"Well, we cant stay here long. Will you come back with me to the house? I left my bag. You beat me to all the food."
I shake my head.
"Well, will you wait for me here, then?" he asks in a gentle voice. "I'll be very quick. Let me get us some more food."
"Us"
"Do you really think I'm going to let you disappear? I'll follow you even if you tell me not too."
"I..."
"Your not alone are you," he realizes. His expression shows uncertainty for the first time.
"My brother. Liam.He's just nine, and he's so frightened when I'm away. It will thank me half the night to get back to him. He won't know if I've been caught. He's so hungry."
"Will it help if I give you a ride?"
"A ride?" I echo.
"I'll make you a deal. You wait here while I gather more food, and I'll take you anywhere you want to go in my jeep. It is faster than running."
"You have a car?"
"Of course. Do you think I would offer you a ride if I didn't?"
"We'll be back to your brother in no time. Don't move from this spot, okay?" I nod
"And please eat something." He grins, and his eyes crinkle up, fanning lines out of the corners. My heart gives one hard thump, and I know I will wait here if it takes him all night.
He is still holding my hand. He lets go slowly, his eyes not leaving mine. He takes a step backward, then pauses.
"Please don't kick me," he pleads, leaning forward and grabbing my chin.

He kisses me again, and this time I feel it. His lips are softer than his hands, and hot, even in the warm desert night. A flock of butterflies riots in my stomach and steals my breath. My hands reach for him instinctively. I touch the warm skin of his cheek, the rough hair in his neck. My fingers skim over a line of puckered skin, raised ridge right beneath the hairline.
I scream.