Koalas (Kyle O'Shea)

Chapter 24

This raid went by quickly, the team was like a well oiled machine, everyone knew what to do and Melanie proved herself to be a valuable asset. She was fierce where Wanda was more submissive which caused Kyle and her to start arguing.

Melanie never hesitated to tell him what he did wrong and tried to get revenge for what he did to Wanda. They stayed at one place longer. Melanie, Jared, and Jamie wanted to look for a new body for Wanda.

Brandt told them early on to wait until the end of the raid until they abducted someone. He still remembered the first healer. The man, who woke up to early and killed himself and the host to keep the secret of the souls. The female healer was nice, once they got to know her. He got along well with her as he reminded her of his older sister.

Kyle missed the secrecy and danger which now seemed to be taken away from them almost completely. However, he couldn't deny the relief he felt at the thought of not having to worry about wether or not he would see Melody again.

The time apart gave his mind some closure and he missed her. He wanted  nothing more than to hold her in his arms again. Nevertheless, Sunny also plagued his thoughts. There seemed to be an undeniable pull towards her. Kyle knew Jodie was gone and he really moved passed her but it was the soul that intrigued him so much.

Everyone except Aaron and Kyle were asleep. Aaron was more than ready to go back to the safety of the caves as he sat on the passenger seat. Kyle was driving slowly through the night, making sure not to raise any suspicion in case a pack of body snatchers were waiting for them again.

The night was cool and clear. Kyle focused on the road as the truck reflected the light if the stars and the moon. It was a beautiful night out. If Kyle would be home in the caves he knew Melody would drag him to their spot and watch the sky as they did multiple times before.

Not only the stars would shine brightly but also the little cryo tanks, each transporting a soul, arrive at a centre a few cities away, and leave to one of the other planets far, far away. They blended in with all the lights in the sky once they were far enough away.

There were no cars on the streets besides them. The sun set long after they left the last town. The mountains and hills became seemingly invisible to the eye. The asphalt of the road was still intact. The souls were quite serious about the safety of the souls.

The first time Kyle went on a raid Jared showed him the secret path markings to not get lost in the dark but find their way home safely.

Home. The place Kyle longed for. He was more than ready to go back and hold Melody and Sunny in a warm embrace. But there was one more stop in the next town before they could finally return to the safe caves.

The truck drove into the nameless town without attracting attention. They drove through so many towns, the names didn't matter anymore. At least to Kyle.

"Drive into the next street and park it there." Melanie said. "There is a body we think is perfect for Wanda."

"Can we finally get her?", Jamie asked excitedly. He missed Wanda and wanted her back, she was like a sister to him. Of course he was glad to have Melanie back as well.

Melanie confirmed this and Kyle did as she said. Only Jared, Jamie, and Melanie left as the rest of them stayed in the van.

"Don't take too long." Kyle told them and locked the door behind them.

He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he waited impatiently. He would never admit it but he was also excited to have Wanda around again. If not for Sunny. The thought of the little soul put a smile on his face.

A few moments later, about ten minutes, he could see three familiar silhouettes coming towards them. The tallest, Jared of course, held a body carefully in his arms. The smaller silhouette jumped excitedly but quietly.

A opened the back of the truck where, Aaron and Brandt prepared a small makeshift bed for the body. Aaron had woken up Brandt rather roughly as he was laying in the way.

Jared entered the truck first and placed down the body of the young woman. She was small in size and slim. Her face was very pale but freckled. Blonde hair surrounded the fragile face as she laid on the cartons.

Kyle didn't see the new person on the truck but once the doors closed he could her Jamie talk about her excitedly. He had to hurry up now. As fast as he could he followed the path markings indicating their way home. The truck slowed down and eventually stopped before Melanie and Jared jumped out to fix the rug at the back of the car so the signs of the tires would disappear and not lead the souls to the last surviving humans.

Kyle was getting more and more impatient to finally park the truck and get to his girlfriend. Everyone let out a sigh in relief as the truck parked and everybody got out.

"We'll take care of her first. Who knows how long the chloroform will keep her knocked out." Melanie said and Jamie nodded eagerly.

Jared took the young woman into his arms and Kyle looked at her. She seemed weak, not able to last long hours of work but he could see Ian being happy with the choice of this body. They made their way to the southern tunnel to greet Doc as the rest went to the kitchen to greet everyone.

The mood in the kitchen raised immediately as the raiders entered. Happy calls went out to them and they were hugged close by their friends and family. A few people, Lily, Ruth, Heath, Trudy walked to the truck and they started to unload. Kyle was still looking around the kitchen, trying to find either Melody or Sunny.

"They are in their room. You might want to check if she is still human." Maggy told him rudely.

Kyle just ignored her and went to see the girls, not caring that he should help unloading the boxes. He hadn't seen these women in so long that he needed to see them.

He walked through the tunnel of the different rooms fast, taking large steps to arrive at their door as quick as he could. His heavy boots pushed the dusty soil to the side. He opened the door carefully despite his harsh and rough moments prior. The sight he found managed to melt his heart and clench it at the same time.

Melody and Sunny laid together on his mattress in a deep embrace. Sunny was cuddled  into Melody's chest her left arm draped over her middle, while Melody's arm rested over Sunny's. Their legs were intertwined.

At first Kyle was unsure what to think about this but he was happy the two got along in his absence. His heated warmed but clenched at the same time as realised what he wanted but couldn't have.

He crouched next to Melody, gently running his fingers up and down her shoulders until she stirred and woke up. Her eyes shined brightly as she saw her love sitting next to her. She wanted to move to him but was aware of the weight of Sunny holding her down.

Melosy ran her hand through the soul's hair until she woke up and let Melody go. She immediately turned to Kyle and hugged him tightly and once they loosened their embrace she kissed him with all she had. Telling him all the I-love-yous and I-missed-yous in a kiss as he told her the same through his response.

Sunny blushed and looked away from the reunion of the two lovers. She was more than happy to see Kyle again, she felt a little guilty for her close moment with Melody but as she watched the two people she felt a strange sensation in her, one she only knew out of Jodie's memories.

Kyle and Melody broke apart breathing heavily, their hearts beating widely. They look into each others eyes before Kyle breaks their eye contact to look and Sunny. He could see the hurt and longing in her eyes as he opened his arms and brought her close to him.

Melody felt torn as she saw the struggle of her  boyfriend, lover and her newly found best friend. She felt these strong emotions in her but was unable to interpret them correctly. Her heart and mind confused her.