Koalas (Kyle O'Shea)

Chapter 11

What if she wasn't evil and just longed to see the people her host loved so much before she took over? Now that she was united she just witnessed the worst part of humanity and the reason the aliens justified taking over their world.

For a couple of days there was silence around the thing. Jeb didn't let anyone to it or let it leave. Not having to see the threat made it easier for Melody to ignore the enemy living amongst them.

She stood silently next to Trudy as they handed out food. Once most people were finished the other woman grabbed the almost overflowing dish basket to clean it, placing a few plates back on the counter to not break them on her way to the stream. Melody tidied up a bit, giving out extra rations to people who asked and fixed herself a plate.

"Well seems like the kitchen is less crowded now. What do you think about having lunch?" Jeb's voice echoed into the kitchen and shortly after he and the alien entered the room.

Melody froze in shock as Jeb led the body of the woman, younger than Melody, to sit at the counter.

"Melody, would you be a dear and fix Wanda a plate?"

With shaking hands she grabbed a plate. The food on the spoon was shaking, almost spilling out. Melody's breathing picked up and tears filled her eyes as she gave the plate to Wanda. Her whole body was shaking, her head hurt and she felt dizzy and sick. Being so close to one of those things was terrifying to her.

Wanda looked at the other woman surprised. She saw a great deal of anger and hatred sent her way, normal human emotions as the soul saw it but she never saw a human having this level of fear. She looked in concern as the woman behind the counter was shaking, silent tears fell down her face. Her black hair was in a bun.

"Melody?", Jeb asked concerned. He of course knew what happened to Matthew but he never guessed her fear to be this strong. Jeb hoped Melody could be the bridge between Wanda and Kyle to make him accept her. That plan failed before it even started.

Thankfully Trudy walked in and took in the scene in front of her. She quickly walked towards the shaking woman and held her gently as she seemed to sway back and fourth, ready to pass out.

"I think it's the best to bring her to Doc." Jeb said and Trudy nodded slowly leading her out of the room. Melody's head hurt the more she walked. She couldn't even see straight and before the two entered the southern tunnel, Melody passed out.

"Am I really that frightening?", Wanda asked Melanie as she watched the two women leave.
"She's just scared. We don't know her story nor does she know us." Melanie wanted to be angry at the woman but she could understand her.

"Don't worry, Wanda, she'll come around, eventually." Jeb assured her.

The young woman woke up in the infirmary. She could hear Doc rustling through papers as he talked to Ian.

"She was just under a lot of stress. It's fine now. Let her rest for until tomorrow and she'll be fine."

Melody sat up carefully gaining the attention of the two men in the room. Ian immediately walked over to her.

"Is everything alright? What happened?"  His brows furrowed. The worry was obvious in his blue eyes, so similar to Kyle's.

"I don't know that thing just came in and I couldn't.. I was.. Ian I was so scared of it."

"There is no reason to be scared. She can't hurt you! No one will let her. We can't lose our little Quokka, can we?"

She playfully glared at him. "Fine."

Just like Doc told her she rested until the next morning. As she was on her way to do her daily tasks she made it her goal to avoid that alien at all cost. Ever since she started traveling with Kyle and Ian she felt safe but now in the caves, her home, she felt more alone and unprotected than ever.

This morning she made her way to the classroom like every morning to find the three kids and Sharon already waiting for her. Playing with the Freedom put her into her professional mindset and she could forget about the worm living with them. When Sharon finished her lesson the kids left and Melody stayed behind to help Sharon clean everything up.

"What happened yesterday? Doc said you passed out on your way to the infirmary." Sharon asked her as they walked towards the kitchen to have lunch.

"I don't know, I was just so scared of.. of that thing, I couldn't do anything about it." Melody told her.

"Its ok to be scared of those things. I mean, they did invade earth and annihilated most of humanity but don't let fear control you. We are all stronger than that!" Sharon told her firmly and placed a caring hand onto her shoulder.

"Thank you, Sharon."

As they entered the kitchen she could see the alien sitting at one of the tables talking to Jeb and Doc. Melody immediately wanted to go to Ian to feel safer but to her horror he sat at the table next to Jamie, who sat next to the thing.

Instead, she quickly walked to Trudy who sat next to Ruth. Heath, Trudy's husband was on the raid as well. They ate in silence, there wasn't a lot to even talk about. She could hear Jeb, Jamie even Doc and Ian talking to it. They talked about her worlds asking questions of all the places she's been to.

The closer her friends especially Ian got closer to the alien the more distant became Melody. She would often lay in her room alone, Ian came later from talking to Wanda too long. A rip seemed to aplear in their friendship.

Many people started to become friends with Wanda. She was always very friendly, ready to help and usually worked more than others. Melody was slowly able to be in the same room as the alien but still tried to avoid it. She didn't want anything to do with her.

Over the course of time Melody felt more lonely than ever. Her friends would sit in the kitchen listening to Wanda. The only people showing their distaste towards her were Sharon and Maggy. Lucia forbade both children to talk or interact with Wanda and did the same.

This day was one of Melody's good days. She slept well and was able to have breakfast in the room when Wanda was there as well. The woman didn't feel the need to run away but kept her distance as they were harvesting the large field. As she stood alone slowly doing her work Ian came over. He walked lightly, his arms swaying with every step he took. A bright smile lit up his face. His hair was longer just like Kyle's but he contemplated cutting in short again.

"Hey Melody, wanna come over and work with us?" He motioned to Jeb and Wanda, who both looked at her.

"No, sorry, I can't go there, not so soon."

Ian sighed shaking his head. "Wanda is really ok, Melody. Just give her a chance!"

"I cant, not now. Not when I still feel the need to run from this place every time I see her. She scares me, Ian."

"Her kind scares you. But you should really meet her. She was bat too once, she can tell you even more about the planets and everything!"

"Ian, please don't push me further than I can go."

He exhaled annoyed. "She is not one of those souls who took Matthew. Wanda wasn't even here when it happened."

Involuntary tears sprang into her eyes at the mention of her dead brother's name.

"Please, don't."

"Lets just go there and talk to her she's really nice." He told her and again she shook her head and told him no. "Would Matthew want you to be that rude?"

That was the last straw for Melody. Tears spilled over her face as she pushed Ian away from her. With quick steps and her left hand over her mouth to silence her sobs she left the room.

How dare he? She tried her best to accept Wanda. But that process wouldn't be done over night like Ian wanted to. And then he brought up Matthew. What would Matthew say if you were so rude? Fuck you, Ian, she thought, Matty would have never pressured her but let her walk her own path no matter how long she had to walk.

Ian didn't come after her but walked back to the woman that intrigued him so much. A warm feeling spread in his chest as he looked into her reflective eyes. He was completely oblivious to the damage he did to not only his best friend but to their friendship. Was Ian ready to lose her over the soul that captured his heart?