Chapter 54 Chapter 52 Separation

We brought in the loot by the southern exit, though that meant leaving the jeep by dawn.We did not enter through the larger opening, for fear that the hunters might hear us.I don't know if the hunter guessed what I was trying to do, and I don't want to give her the chance to kill her host and kill herself.I can't stop thinking about what Jeb told me about one of the captives - he's slumped to the ground for no apparent reason, with no apparent damage to his head from the outside. There were some people in the hospital, and I managed to squeeze my way into the main room to find the doctor preparing for surgery.The table was set, and a propane lamp—the brightest we could find—was about to be lit.Under the faint blue solar light, the scalpel shone silver.

I knew the doctor would agree to my conditions, but seeing him so focused made me sick.Maybe it's just because I'm reminded of the day when I stumbled upon him with blood on his hands and it made me gag. "You're back." He breathed a sigh of relief.I realized he was worried about us, like someone had left the safety of a cave and everyone was worried about that. "We brought you a present." Jared came out from behind me.He stood up straight and took out the box behind him.The motion dramatically lifts the box, revealing the label on the side. "Prosthetics!" cried the doctor, "how much did you take?"

"Two boxes, we found a better way to replenish the stock, and Xiaoman doesn't have to stab himself anymore." Jared's joke didn't make the doctor smile.Instead, the doctor turned his head and looked at me sharply.We must all be thinking the same thing: it's convenient because Man won't be here anymore. "Have you got the freezer yet?" he asked more seriously. Jared noticed the nervousness on the doctor's face. He glanced at me with an elusive expression. "Yes," I replied, "ten, and the car can hold up to ten." Jared tugged on the rope behind him as I spoke.Another box of prosthetics and some freezers slumped to the ground behind him, clattering against loose rock.The box made a metallic sound, although the box was made of materials that did not exist on this planet.I told Jared that empty freezers don't have to be carefully handled, they're so resilient they're no problem dragging through stone tunnels.At this moment, they are lying on the ground, shining, looking shiny and spotless.

The doctor picked up one, untied the rope on it, held it in his hand and looked at it over and over again. "Ten?" The number seemed to surprise him.He thinks it's too much?Or is it not enough? "Is it difficult to use?" "No, it's very simple, I'll show you now." The doctor nodded, his eyes carefully inspecting the container from an alien planet.I could feel Jared looking at me, but my eyes stayed with the doctor. "What did Jeb, Brant, and Aaron say?" I asked. The doctor raised his head and locked his eyes on me: "They agree with your conditions."

I nodded, not believing it: "Only if you convince me that this is the case, I will show you a demonstration." "fair." Jared stared at me, puzzled and frustrated. "Did you tell him anything?" the doctor asked me cautiously. "I just said that I want to save the hunter." I looked in Jared's direction, but avoided his gaze, "The doctor has promised that if I demonstrate how to perform the separation operation, you will safely transport the released soul to the Life on other planets cannot kill them." Jared nodded thoughtfully, and quickly returned his gaze to the doctor: "I can accept these conditions, and I can also ensure that others abide by them. I guess, you have already planned how to send them to other places." to the planet?"

"It's simpler than what we did tonight, it's just the reverse process — putting things into a bunch of boxes instead of taking them out of them." "OK." "Have you planned your time?" the doctor asked.He tried to stay calm, but I could hear his impatience. He just wants the answer he's been asking for all this time, I try to tell myself, not that he's in a hurry to kill me. "I've got to get the jeep back first - can you wait? I want to watch the process." "Of course, Jared." The doctor agreed. "I'll be right back," Jared said, and got out of the hole.

I know that waiting for Jared may not be enough at all. Neither the doctor nor I spoke until the sound of Jared crawling out of the exit faded away. "You didn't mention Melanie?" His tone was soft. I shook my head: "I think, he knows what will happen in the future, he must have guessed my plan." "I won't guess it all, he won't let you" "He can't decide," I interrupted sharply, "it's all or nothing, Doctor." The doctor sighed, and after a moment of silence, he stretched his body and glanced at the exit of the main entrance: "I want to talk to Jeb and get things ready."

He reached for a bottle on the table, chloroform, which I'm sure is a better anesthetic for the soul.I'm going to help the doctor find that before I leave. "Who knows about this?" "It's still just Jeb, Aaron and Brant, and they all want to come and see." I am not surprised by this, Aaron and Brant will be very suspicious: "Don't tell others, at least not tonight." The doctor nodded and disappeared into the black corridor. I went to the wall and sat down against it, as far away from the operating table as possible.It was almost my turn to lie on it, so fast.

I was trying to think of something else, to get away from the harsh reality in front of me, when I realized, I haven't heard Melanie's voice in a long time, since when was the last time she spoke to me?When I made an agreement with my doctor?It was only later that I realized that Melanie didn't respond when I was sleeping next to the jeep today. Mel? no answer. This time it was different from Ou Qian, so I didn't panic.I clearly feel that she is in my mind, but is she ignoring me on purpose?what is she doing? Mel?What happened? no answer. you're mad at me, aren't you?About the Jeep before, I'm sorry.I did not do anything.You know it.So, it's not fair to me like this. She interrupted me angrily.Enough is enough, stop talking.I'm not mad at you, leave me alone.

why don't you talk to me no answer. I took another step forward, hoping to catch her train of thought.She tried to keep me out, put a wall between us, but the wall had been disused for a long time, and I knew what she was trying to do. I try to stay calm.Are you crazy? you could put it that way.She joked lukewarmly. You think if you can make yourself disappear, you can stop me? What else can I do to stop you?If you have a better way, tell me. I don't, Melanie, don't you want them back?Don't you want to be reunited with Jared?And Jamie? Her heart was overwhelmed, unwilling to face the obvious answer.Yes, I thought, but I couldn't. She paused for a moment, regaining her composure, and I couldn't let you die for me.Xiao Man.I can't take it.

I saw her bottomless pain, and tears welled up in her eyes. I love you too, Mel.but.The two of us cannot be accommodated here at the same time. In this body, in this cave, in their lives, I disagree. Listen, stop trying to destroy yourself, okay?If I think you're going to do this, I'll have the doctor take me out today, or I'll tell Jared.Think about what Jared would do. I imagined it for her, and couldn't help laughing through tears.remember?In order to get you to stay, he said that he couldn't guarantee what he would or wouldn't do.I thought of our fiery kiss in the hall and the other kisses she had stored in her memory, and the many nights with Jared.I blushed and my cheeks burned. Such a struggle is disgraceful. I just do it. I will not give up. I've warned you, don't keep silent. So we thought of something else, something that wasn't sentimental.For example, where will we send the hunters.After hearing my story tonight, Meier can't forget the planet of mist, but I think the planet of flowers is more suitable.There is no sunnier planet in the universe. Hunters need to bask in the sun and enjoy life. We were reminded of our memories - good memories - castles sculpted from ice, music at night and colorful suns.To her, these are like fairy tales.She also told me fairy tales, crystal slippers, poisoned apples, mermaids who wanted to get their souls, of course we didn't have time to tell many stories. They are all back.Jared came in through the entrance of the main entrance.It took him so little time—maybe he just drove the jeep south, hidden under a ledge, in a hurry. I heard their lowered voices, serious and deep.From their tone of voice I knew the hunter was with them, and I knew my first step toward death was about to begin. don't want. Listen carefully, you have to help them do this in the future, when I don't! However, she didn't resist my instructions, she just resisted my conclusions. It was Jared who led the hunter into the room, and he went first, followed by the others.Both Aaron and Brant had their guns at the ready in case she feigned unconsciousness before jumping up and attacking them with her tiny hands.Jeb and the doctor were last, and I knew Jeb must be looking at me shrewdly.With his crazy and deep insights, how much has he understood? I allow myself to concentrate on the task at hand. Jared placed the comatose hunter on the operating table with such tenderness that maybe I would have been annoyed by it before, but now I am moved.I understood that he did it for me, that he wanted to do it to me in the first place. "Doctor, where are the painkillers?" "I'll get it for you," he whispered. I watched the hunter's face and waited.I wonder what that face will look like when her host is freed?Will there be any traces left?Will the host become an empty shell, or will the original owner return?Wouldn't that face be any less obnoxious when there was another thought in those eyes? "Here you are." The doctor handed the medicine bottle to me. "thanks." I took out a square sheet and returned the bottle to him. I found myself reluctant to touch Hunter, but nimbly and resolutely I pulled down her jaw and put the painkiller on her tongue.Her small face made my hands appear large, and her petite figure always surprised me, looking out of place. I close her mouth, her mouth is wet, the pill will dissolve in no time. "Jered, can you turn her over? Face down." I asked. He did as I told him to--again lightly.That's when the propane lights came on, and the cave suddenly became as bright as daylight. Instinctively I glanced up and saw that the doctor had covered the large hole in the roof with a tarpaulin so that no light could escape.He did a lot of prep work while we were away. It was quiet, I could hear the hunter's steady breathing, and I could hear the rapid, tense breathing of the others in the room.Some people kept changing their feet and standing, and the gravel and rocks under their feet rubbed against each other, and I could feel the weight of their gazes. I swallowed, hoping to keep my usual tone: "Doctor, I need restoratives, anti-inflammatory agents, healing gels, and scar powder." "It's all here." I combed the hunter's dry black hair to one side, revealing the pink line at the base of her skull, gazed at her olive skin, and hesitated. "You cut it, okay? Doctor, I don't want to do this." "No problem, Xiaoman." He came and stood in front of me, all I could see was his hands.He placed a small row of white vials beside the hunter's shoulder, and the scalpel flickered in the bright light, which slashed across my cheek. "Get her hair out of the way." I used both hands to clean the hair on her neck. "I wish I could sterilize it." The doctor said to himself, obviously feeling that he was not ready enough. "It's okay, we have anti-inflammatory agents." "I know." He sighed.What he really wants is to follow the routine, the mental cleanliness of old habits. "How much space do you want?" he asked me hesitantly, the blade just an inch away from her skin. I could feel the warmth of the others around me, as they squeezed in to get a better view, they were careful not to touch me and the doctor. "It's as long as this scar, that's enough." He seemed to think it was not enough: "Are you sure?" "Yes, ah, wait a minute!" The doctor took a step back. I realized that I was doing the exact opposite of the program the therapist was doing.I'm not a therapist, I'm not the stuff.My hands were shaking and I couldn't take my eyes off the hunter's body. "Jared, can you get me a freezer?" "certainly." I heard him take a few steps away, heard the clunk of his selection of the freezer, dull and metallic. "What to do now?" "There is a ring on the lid, press it down." The freezer starts up and I hear it hum.I grunt, stepping chaotically away from it. "Okay, there's a switch on the side that looks like a dial, see?" "Saw." "Turn the switch down." "All right." "What color is the light on top of the freezer?" "It was purple and turned blue and now it's light blue." I took a deep breath, at least the freezer was working fine. "Very well, open the lid and wait for me." "How to open it?" "There's a snap lock on the side." "I see." I heard the lock snap, and then the whir of the machine. "It's cold in there!" "now it's right." "How does it work? What's the power source?" I sighed: "I knew the answer when I was on Spider Planet, but I don't understand it now. Doctor, you can go on, I'm ready." "Okay," the doctor said, cutting the scalpel into the skin with a deft, almost graceful movement.Blood snaked down her neck and pooled on the towel the doctor had placed under her neck. "A little deeper, just under the incision" "I see." The doctor breathed heavily and entered a state of excitement. Silver light flickers in the blood. "Fine, now you hold your hair up." The doctor and I switched places quickly and deftly, he was good at his job and he could be a therapist too. I don't need to hide from him what I'm doing, my movements are so small that he can't tell.Only after I explained it did he know what to do. I carefully slid my fingertips along the silvery creature's back spine until they were fully inserted into the incision at the base of the host's neck.Fumbling along the way, I found the anterior antennae, and felt the taut lines of the tentacles, straight as strings on a harp, extending deep into her head. I bent my fingers under the soul body, along one side of the tentacles, starting from the first section of its body and stroking downwards one by one. Its body is hard and full of tentacles, just like the hairs of a brush. I carefully searched for the joints of these tissues, the tiny joints, no bigger than the head of a needle.I groped down and was about a third of the way down.I could find them by counting, but this method takes a lot of time.It should be at the 217th joint, but I have other ways to find the joint.There it was, the slightly raised bone making the joint a little bigger—bigger than the head of a pin, like a tiny pearl.It's right under my fingertips and smooth. I press and touch it gently, the soul is always gentle, never rough. "Relax." I took a breath. Though deaf, the soul complied, and its tentacles, tensed like a harp, relaxed.I could feel them shrinking slowly, and as they retreated into the body, the soul's body slowly expanded, and the whole process took only a few heartbeats.I held my breath until the soul writhed in my hands, wriggling freely. I wait for it to curl up a bit more, then wrap my fingers around its tiny, fragile body.I picked it up and held it in the palm of my hand. Its silver body glistened and was wet with blood. It was beautiful, this unknown soul bobbing up and down in my palm like a silver wave, like a lovely feathered ribbon. I can't hate a hunter like this, a kind of pity almost like a mother's love surges from the bottom of my heart. "Baby, sleep well." I said softly. I turned to the humming freezer, just to my left.Jared lowered the box, tilting it slightly, so that I could easily put the soul through the opening into the cryochamber, which was blowing out terribly cold air.I let it slide in slowly and carefully locked the lid on. I took the freezer from Jared, carefully straightened it, and hugged it tightly to my chest.The outside of the box was as warm as the inside, and I held it in my arms, protecting it like a mother. I turned around and looked at the stranger on the table. The doctor had already sprinkled scar removal powder on the stitched wound.We have a tacit understanding, one takes care of the soul, and the other takes care of the body, and both take care of it very well. The doctor looked up at me with excitement and surprise in his eyes. "It's amazing," he murmured, "it's unbelievable." "Good job." I responded. "When do you think she'll wake up?" asked the doctor. "It depends on how much narcotic she's inhaled." "not too much." "Hopefully she's still there, we'll have to wait and see." Before I could mention it, Jared had picked up the unknown woman from the operating table, turned her face up, and placed her in another clean resting place.This time, I was not moved by his gentle movements, because this kind of gentleness is for human beings, for Dr. Melanie walked over with him, took her pulse, and checked her pupils.He shone a flashlight into her unconscious eyes and saw the pupils constrict.The light didn't bounce back, and the doctor and Jared looked at each other for a long moment. "She did," Jared said, his voice low. "Yes," replied the doctor. Jeb crept up to me without me hearing him. "Nice job, boy," he whispered. I shrugged. "Feeling weird?" I didn't answer. "Oh dear, me too, I feel the same way." Aaron and Brant were whispering behind me. They were very excited, raised their voices consciously, and eagerly answered each other's questions before they finished speaking. There is no contradiction here. "Wait, let others listen!" "Think about it" "We should get some" "immediately, I'll go" "Wait a minute," Jeb interrupted Brant, "you can only catch souls after the freezer is safely sent to outer space. Right, Man?" "Yes." I replied in a firmer voice, hugging the box even tighter. Brant and Aaron looked at each other reluctantly. I need more allies, Jared, Jeb, and the doctor, it's just the three of them, and despite their enormous influence, they also need help. I know what that means. That means I'm going to talk to Ian. Talk to other people too of course, but Ian is definitely one of them.My heart seemed to sink, contracting limply and feebly.Since I joined the human race, I have done many things that I didn't want to do, but I have never felt such heartache.Even when I decided to exchange my life for the life of the hunter—that kind of huge, deep pain can be barely controlled, because it is related to the interests of the whole, and saying goodbye to Ian is like being stabbed in the heart , The pain was so painful that I couldn't see the interests of the whole.How I wish there was a way - whatever - to keep Ian from suffering like I did, but there wasn't. Worse than that, probably saying goodbye to Jared.That wound would heat and fester, for he would feel no pain, and his joy would far outweigh his little farewells to me. As for Jamie, well, I wasn't going to say goodbye to him at all. "Xiao Man!" The doctor's voice was sharp. I ran to the bed where the doctor was standing.Before it arrived, I saw small olive-colored fists hanging from the edge of the operating table, opening and closing. "Ah," came the hunter's familiar voice from that body, "ah." The room was completely silent, and everyone looked at me like I was an anthropologist. I elbowed the doctor, still holding the box with both hands. "Talk to her." I whispered. "Uh hello? Can you hear me, ma'am? You're safe now, can you understand what I'm saying?" "Ah." She moaned, struggled to open her eyes, and immediately stared at the doctor.From the look on her face, there was nothing wrong - the painkillers must have made her feel great.Her eyes were the black of onyx, and she scanned the room until she saw me, and her face darkened as soon as she recognized me.She looked away, then turned to look at the doctor again. "Well, my head is back and it feels great!" Her voice was loud and clear, "Thank you."