@@@@@Please tell him that I love him “Why won't
@@@@@Please tell him that I love him
“Why won't you answer me?” Jamie was really crying now but trying to muffle the sound
I crawled off the bed, squeezing into the hard space between the mattress and the mat, and
threw my arm over his shaking chestI leaned my head against his hair and felt his tears, warm
on my neck
“Is Melanie still alive, Wanda? Please?”
He was probably a toolThe old man could have sent him just for this; Jeb was smart enough to
see how easily Jamie broke through my defensesIt was possible that Jeb was seeking
confirmation for his theory, and he wasn't against using the boy to get itWhat would Jeb do
when he was certain of the dangerous truth? How would he use the information? I didn't think
he meant me harm, but could I trust my own judgment? Humans were deceitful, treacherous
creaturesI couldn't anticipate their darker agendas when such things were unthinkable to my
species
Jamie's body shook beside me
He's suffering,Melanie criedShe battered ineffectually at my control
But I couldn't blame this on Melanie if it turned out to be a huge mistakeI knew who was
speaking now
“She promised she would come back, didn't she?” I murmured“Would Melanie break a
promise to you?”
Jamie slid his arms around my waist and clung to me for a long timeAfter a few minutes, he
whispered, “Love you, Mel
“She loves you, tooShe's so happy that you're here and safe
He was silent long enough for the tears on my skin to dry, leaving a fine, salty dust behind
“Is everybody like that?” Jamie whispered long after I thought he'd fallen asleep“Does
everybody stay?”
“No,” I told him sadly
“She's strong and brave
“Do you think…” He paused to sniff“Do you think that maybe Dad is still there, too?”
I swallowed, trying to move the lump farther down my thro