Chapter 24 Chapter 22 Breaking the Ice

Jeb folded his hands behind his head, looked at the dark ceiling of the cave, and seemed to be thinking about something.It seemed that he still wanted to chat. My eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't look at me. "I've always wondered what it's like - what it's like to be caught. I've seen it many times before and I almost got caught a few times. I don't know what it's like to be caught, something Would it hurt to put it in your head? You know, I've seen it happen." My eyes widened in surprise, but he wasn't looking at me. "It's as if you've all been given some kind of narcotic, but that's just speculation. No one was screaming in pain, or anything, so, it must have been pretty excruciating."

I wrinkled my nose.Torture, no, that's a human specialty. "The story you told that kid was really interesting." I froze for a moment, and he smiled softly: "Yeah, I'm listening too. I admit, I was eavesdropping, but I'm not sorry-the story is great, you don't use it Jamie's way of telling the story and I talked about it. I really like the part about bats and various plants and spiders, it can make people think. I always like to read science fiction and other fantasy things , hungrily. That boy is like me—he has read all the books I brought with him, every one of them two or three times. It must be a great pleasure for him to have new stories to listen to. Of course , for me too, your story is brilliantly told."

I lowered my eyes, but his words touched me, and I let my guard down a little.Like any soul living in an emotional body, I can't help but praise. "Everyone here thinks you're here to catch us, and after you catch us, you'll hand us over to hunters." After hearing this, I was shocked.The jaw suddenly froze, the teeth bit the tongue, and it was bleeding. "Is there any other reason besides that?" he continued, not caring at all, or ignoring my reaction, "but, I guess they stuck to their guns. I mean why are you wandering into the desert where there's no way back?" He giggled, "Wandering—I guess that's your specialty?! Er, Man?"

He leaned towards me and nudged me with his elbow.I don't know what he means, but I can only open my eyes wide, looking at the ground for a while, looking at him for a while, and looking at the ground again for a while.He laughed again. "In my opinion, that part of the journey almost cost you your life. It's definitely not a hunter's usual tactic, if you know what I mean. I tried to reason, use logic to reason, right? So , I think if you don't have backup, and I don't see any signs that you have backup, and at the same time, you have no turning back, then you must have another purpose. Since you have been here, except when you were with Jamie just now , you will talk about it, other times you have been silent. However, I have also heard some things you have said. To me, the reason that almost killed you is that you are so determined to find that The boy and Jared."

I closed my eyes. "It's just why you care about them?" Jeb asked, expecting no answer, he was just musing, "So, my take is: either you're good at acting—like a super hunter, a sort of Brand new hunter, even more cunning than the previous hunters - you came here with a plan, I just don't know, or you didn't act. Sometimes, judging by your performance, the first explanation is a bit complicated, so , I don't believe the first explanation. But, if you're not acting..." He paused. "I've spent a lot of time watching your kind. You know, I've been waiting to see what will happen to them when they don't have to pretend to be human anymore, because then they don't have to act for anyone. ...I've been watching, I've been waiting, but they're behaving like humans. They're still with their host's family, they're out in the green when the weather is nice, they're planting flowers, they're doing some painting, whatever. I never knew, Whether you are moving closer to the direction of human beings, whether human beings still can't really have an impact on you in the end."

He paused, wanting me to answer his question, but I didn't speak. "A few years ago, I saw something that still sticks in my memory. Two old men, a man and a woman, of course, just the bodies of a man and a woman. They have been together for a long time, and the skin on the fingers of their wedding rings There were creases. They held hands, and the old man kissed the old woman on the cheek. Although the old woman was wrinkled, she could still see her cheeks were flushed. I think you have all human emotions, Because you are us, not just the hands of the puppets." "Yes," I whispered, "we have all the emotions. Human emotions, hope and pain and love."

"So, if you're not acting um, then I swear you love Jamie and Jared. You love them, Man, not Mel's body". I put my head in my hands, a gesture of acknowledgment, but I don't care, I can't take it any longer. "So, that's you, but, I also want to know about my niece. How is she feeling now, how will she be feeling in the future? When they put someone in your head, do you just disappear? Erased? Like dead? Or asleep? Are you still aware of external controls? Are you still aware of yourself? Are you trapped there, screaming inside your body?" I sat there quietly, trying to keep a calm face on my face.

"Obviously, your memory and your actions, all that's gone, but you're still conscious like some people never go down without a fight. God, I know, I'm gonna try to stay - I absolutely Won't throw in the towel, everybody will tell you that. I'm a fighter, and all of us who survive are fighters, and, you know, I call Mel a fighter, too." His eyes didn't move from the ceiling, but I kept looking at the ground—staring at the ground, remembering the pattern of purple-gray dust. "Yes, I've been thinking about that." Even though I was still looking down, I could feel him looking at me now.I didn't move, I just breathed out and inhaled slowly, trying hard to even out the rhythm of my breathing.The blood was still in my mouth and I had to swallow it.

Why do we think he's crazy?Mel wondered, he knew everything, he was a genius, he was both mad and genius. Well, maybe that means we don't have to keep quiet anymore.He knows it all.She was full of hope, and lately, she had been quiet, absent almost half the time.When she is happier, her attention is not so easy to concentrate.She has won the battle and she has brought us here.Her secret is no longer in danger, and Jared and Jamie will never be betrayed by her memory. In the struggle with her, she was even more reluctant to speak, even to me.I understand how exhilarating it is for her to find out—to have other people aware of her existence.

Jeb knew, yes, would this really change anything? She remembered the way the others looked at Jeb.Yes, she sighed, but I think Jamie Well, he didn't know or he didn't guess, but I think he sensed the truth of the matter. You're probably right, I think in the end we'll see if it benefits him or us. Jeb was just quiet for a few seconds before it started again and he interrupted: "It's really funny, not like the movies I used to watch, bang! bang! But still interesting. I want to hear more About those spiders, I'm really curious really curious, really." I took a deep breath and raised my head: "What do you want to know?"

His smile was warm, and his eyes were curved into half moons. "Three brains, right?" I nod. "How many eyes?" "Twelve - one eye at each junction of body and leg. We have no eyelids, just lots of fibrous tissue - eyelashes like steel wool - that protect the eyes." He nodded, his eyes brightened. "Aren't they hairy like giant poisonous spiders?" "No, sort of they have armor - covered with scales, like reptiles, or like fish." I slumped against the wall, adjusting my posture for a long conversation. Jeb wasn't disappointed, I forgot how many questions he asked me.He wanted to know the details—what the spiders looked like, what they did, what they did to the earth.Nor was he afraid to flinch when it came to the details of the invasion; on the contrary, he seemed to enjoy the story more than any other.His questions came one after another, and as soon as I answered one, the next one came again.He would often listen and laugh.A few hours later, he finally got a satisfactory answer about the Spider Planet, and he wanted to know more about the Flower Planet. "About Flower Planet, you didn't give details." He reminded me. So I told him it was the most beautiful and peaceful planet.Almost every time I stopped to catch my breath, he followed up with a new question.He liked to guess the answer before I even said it, and he didn't seem to mind if he guessed wrong. "So do you eat flies like a Venus flytrap? I'm sure you would - maybe you eat bigger animals like small birds - like pterodactyls!" "No, like many plants on Earth, we feed on sunlight." "Oh, that's not as interesting as my idea." Sometimes, I myself would laugh along with him. We were about to tell Dragon Planet when Jamie came to us with dinner for three. "Hello, rover," he said awkwardly. "Hi, Jamie," I answered him.I was a little embarrassed, not sure if he regretted being so close to me.After all, I am a bad person. But he sat next to me, between Jeb and me, crossed his legs, and put the tray between the three of us.I'm hungry, I've been talking just now, I'm very thirsty.I picked up a bowl of soup and drank it up after a few sips. "I should have known that you were just being polite in the chaotic aisle today. Say it when you're hungry, Xiao Man, I won't guess other people's minds." I disagree with the last sentence, but I was too busy chewing the bread in my mouth to answer. "Xiaoman?" Jamie asked. I nodded to let him know I didn't mind. "It kind of suits her, don't you think?" Jeb felt proud, and I was surprised he didn't show his pride by patting himself on the back. "I think it kind of suits her," Jamie said. "Are you talking about Dragon Planet?" "Yeah," Jeb said excitedly to him, "but not lizards or anything. They're all made of gelatinous stuff, but they fly a little bit. The air is thicker and a little bit It's like jelly, so it's like they're swimming. They spit out acid when they breathe—that's kind of like fire, isn't that what you said?" I asked Jeb to explain it to Jamie in detail, and I finished my share and ate a little more, and downed a bottle of water.Once my mouth was empty, Jeb started asking me questions again: "Speaking of the acid" Jamie doesn't ask as many questions as Jeb does.With Jamie around, I would have been more cautious in my answers, but, whether by accident or on purpose, Jeb never asked any sensitive questions again, so my caution was unnecessary. The sun gradually receded, and finally the aisle was completely dark.Once my eyes adjusted, a small amount of dim silvery moonlight was enough for me to see the two people sitting next to me. As the night wore on, Jamie moved closer to me.I didn't realize I was fingering Jamie's hair until I noticed Jeb staring at my hands. I folded my arms and crossed them across my chest. Finally, Jeb yawned, and Jamie and I followed suit, yawning. "You've got a great story, Man," Jeb said, and we all stretched. "It's something I used to do. I used to be a teacher, I taught at a university in San Diego, and I taught history." "Teacher!" Jeb repeated, excited. "Oh, isn't that wonderful? That could be of use to us. Maggie's daughter is teaching three children to read, but there are a lot of things she's teaching too. No, she is best at mathematics, as for history" "I only teach our history," I interrupted him, as if waiting for him to take a deep breath wouldn't help. "I can't be a teacher here. I have no training." "Your history is the best knowledge. Humans should know this knowledge, and human beings should understand that the other populations of the universe we live in know far more than we do." "But I'm not really a teacher," I told him, feeling hopeless.Does he really think anyone will listen to my voice?Let alone want to hear my story? "I'm kind of like a professor emeritus, adjunct professor almost. They only want me because oh, because the story fits my name." "That's what I want to ask next," said Jeb triumphantly. "We'll talk about your teaching experience later. Now—why do they call you the Wanderer? I've heard a lot of weird names," said Drywater. "Drye Water," "Finger of the Sky," Fingers Skye, "Up and Down" Flynn Appleworth—all mixed up, and of course, Palms and James. You know Is it? For a curious man, these things would drive him crazy." I waited until I was sure he was finished before I said, "Well, usually souls try a planet or two - usually two - and then they stay on their favorite planet. Only when their host body When they are close to death, they will look for a new host within the same species. Moving from one body to another is often disorienting. Most souls really hate moving around like this, some souls Never left the planet they were born in. Occasionally, someone will have a hard time finding a suitable host, and they may try to go to three planets. I have met a soul who has been to five planets, and he ended up staying in the factory Bat planet. I like it there - I think that's the planet I'd most likely choose to stop on if it wasn't so dark." "How many planets have you lived on?" Jamie asked me in a small voice.Somehow, while I was talking, his hand took mine. "This is the ninth planet I've lived on." I said to him, gently pinching his fingers. "Wow, nine!" he whispered. "So they asked me to teach, and anyone can tell them we've been on a few planets, but most of the planets we've occupied, I've had my own unique experience." I hesitated before saying that word, but This doesn't seem to make Jamie unhappy, "There's only three planets I've never been to—well, four now, and they just opened up a new world." I thought Jeb would ask questions about that new world, or that I would skip them, but he just played with his beard absently. "Why didn't you ever stay anywhere?" Jamie asked me. "I've never found any place that I really like and really want to stay in." "What about Earth? Do you think you'd want to stay here?" I wanted to smile at his trust—as if I would have the chance to switch to another host, as if I would have the chance to survive another month in this host's body. "Earth is interesting," I murmured, "it's harder to live here than on any planet I've lived on before." "Is it harder than living on a planet with cold air and clawed beasts?" he asked. "From the planet itself, yes." How to explain that the planet of mist only attacks you from the outside - being attacked from the inside is even more difficult to deal with. was attacked.Melanie scoffed. I yawned.Actually, I wasn't thinking about you, I said to her, I was just thinking that these unstable emotions always betray me, but you did attack me.That's how you force your memories on me. I have learned my lesson.She assured me with sarcasm in her words.I could feel her strong awareness that I was in charge, and she was slowly building up an emotion, I didn't know what it was.Kind of like anger, but with a little wistfulness and a little desperation. envy.She answered my questions. Jeb yawned again: "I think, I'm very rude. You must be very tired—walking all day, and then I occupied most of the night chatting, you should be a better host. Come on Come on, Jamie, let's go, let Xiaoman sleep for a while." I'm exhausted and it feels like it's been a long day.From what Jeb said, it didn't sound like I was imagining it. "Okay, Uncle Jeb." Jamie jumped up lightly, reaching out to pull Jeb. "Thanks, boy," Jeb muttered as he stood up, "Thank you too," he added to me, "This was the funnest conversation I've ever had, um, probably the funniest conversation ever. Little Man, rest your throat, because I'm very curious. Well, he's coming! It's long overdue." Only then did I hear footsteps getting closer.I unconsciously leaned against the wall and shrunk to the back of the room. The room was illuminated by the moonlight, and I felt even more insecure. I was surprised, this was the first person to show up all night, there seemed to be room for many people in the hallway. "Sorry, Jeb, I went to chat with Sharon and took a nap." It was impossible not to hear this easy-going, gentle voice.My stomach is churning and I wish it was empty. "Doctor, we don't care," said Jeb, "we've had a good time here. You must ask her to tell you a few stories some other day--it's really nice, but not tonight. I believe , she is already very tired, see you tomorrow morning." The Doctor spread a mat over the entrance of the cave, as Jared had done. "Look here," said Jeb, putting the gun on the edge of the mat. "Are you okay, Man?" Jamie asked. "You're shaking." I didn't realize it, but my whole body was shaking.I didn't answer him - my throat felt blocked. "Now," Jeb said reassuringly, "I asked the doctor if he'd mind coming on duty. You don't have to worry about anything, the doctor's a straight man." The doctor smiled, he was sleepy: "I won't hurt you...Xiao Man, will you? I promise, I'll just guard the door for you when you sleep." I bit my lip, trembling has not stopped. Jeb, however, seemed to think that everything had been arranged. "Good night, Xiaoman. Good night, doctor." He said as he walked towards the aisle. Jamie hesitated, looking at me worriedly. "Doctors are good people," he assured me quietly. Jamie hurried after Jeb. After they were gone, I watched the doctor and waited to see what would change.However, the doctor's expression was still very relaxed, and he did not touch the gun.He was lying on the mat with his legs and feet sticking out of the mat.After he lay down, he looked much smaller and skinny. "Good night." He said sleepily. Of course I didn't answer.In the hazy moonlight, I watched him, counting the rhythm of his breathing from the sound of my pulse beating.His breathing slowed, came down, became heavier, and then he snored lightly. It might be acting, but even if it was acting, there's nothing I can do about it.I crept quietly into the room until my back touched the edge of the mattress.I promised myself I wouldn't mess up the place, but it shouldn't be too much of a problem if I just curl up in the corner of the bed, the ground is hard and rough. The doctor's snoring sounded reassuring, even if the snoring was deliberate, trying to calm me down, at least I knew where he was in the dark. Whether it's life or death, I think I'd better sleep.Like Melanie said, I was so tired I closed my eyes.The mattress was softer than anything I've touched since I've been here, and I relaxed and drifted off to the sound of light footsteps—in this very room.I opened my eyes suddenly, and a shadow appeared between me and the moonlight-penetrating cave ceiling.Outside, the doctor's snoring continued.