[科幻]宿主-第37部分

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　The　picture　in　my　head　had　turned　so　grisly　that　I　couldn’t　bear　it。　I　tried　to　focus　on　my　immediate　
surroundings；　which　were　bad　enough。

　Jeb　paused　for　a　moment；　the　gun　held　at　his　waist；　pointing　outward。　He　stared　all　around　the　room；　
seeming　to　lock　his　gaze　one　by　one　with　each　person　in　it。　There　were　fewer　than　twenty　here；　it　did　not　
take　long。　When　he　was　satisfied　with　his　study；　he　headed　for　the　left　wall　of　the　cavern。　Blood　thudding　
in　my　ears；　I　followed　in　his　shadow。

　He　did　not　walk　directly　across　the　cavern；　instead　keeping　close　to　the　curve　of　the　wall。　I　wondered　at　
his　path　until　I　noticed　a　large　square　of　darker　ground　that　took　up　the　center　of　the　floor—a　very　large　
space。　No　one　stood　on　this　darker　ground。　I　was　too　frightened　to　do　more　than　notice　the　anomaly；　I　
didn’t　even　guess　at　a　reason。

　There　were　small　movements　as　we　circled　the　silent　room。　The　bending　woman　straightened；　twisting　at　
the　waist　to　watch　us　go。　The　gesturing　man　folded　his　arms　across　his　chest。　All　eyes　narrowed；　and　all　
faces　tightened　into　expressions　of　rage。　However；　no　one　moved　toward　us；　and　no　one　spoke。　
Whatever　Kyle　and　the　others　had　told　these　people　about　their　confrontation　with　Jeb；　it　seemed　to　
have　had　the　effect　Jeb　was　hoping　for。

　As　we　passed　through　the　grove　of　human　statues；　I　recognized　Sharon　and　Maggie　eyeing　us　from　the　
wide　mouth　of　one　opening。　Their　expressions　were　blank；　their　eyes　cold。　They　did　not　look　at　me；　only　
Jeb。　He　ignored　them。

　It　felt　like　years　later　when　we　finally　reached　the　far　side　of　the　cavern。　Jeb　headed　for　a　medium…sized　
exit；　black　against　the　brightness　of　this　room。　The　eyes　on　my　back　made　my　scalp　tingle；　but　I　didn’t　
dare　to　look　behind　me。　The　humans　were　still　silent；　but　I　worried　that　they　might　follow。　It　was　a　relief　
to　slip　into　the　darkness　of　the　new　passageway。　Jeb’s　hand　touched　my　elbow　to　guide　me；　and　I　did　
not　shrink　away　from　it。　The　babble　of　voices　didn’t　pick　up　again　behind　us。

　“That　went　better　than　I　expected；”　Jeb　muttered　as　he　steered　me　through　the　cave。　His　words　
surprised　me；　and　I　was　glad　I　didn’t　know　what　he’d　thought　would　happen。

　The　ground　sloped　downward　under　my　feet。　Ahead；　a　dim　light　kept　me　from　total　blindness。

　“Bet　you’ve　never　seen　anything　like　my　place　here。”　Jeb’s　voice　was　louder　now；　back　to　the　chatty　
tone　he’d　used　before。　“It’s　really　something；　isn’t　it？”

　He　paused　briefly　in　case　I　might　respond；　and　then　went　on。

　“Found　this　place　back　in　the　seventies。　Well；　it　found　me。　I　fell　through　the　roof　of　the　big　
room—probably　shoulda　died　from　the　fall；　but　I’m　too　tough　for　my　own　good。　Took　me　a　while　to　find　
a　way　out。　I　was　hungry　enough　to　eat　rock　by　the　time　I　managed　it。

　“I　was　the　only　one　left　on　the　ranch　by　then；　so　I　didn’t　have　anyone　to　show　it　to。　I　explored　every　
nook　and　cranny；　and　I　could　see　the　possibilities。　I　decided　this　might　be　a　good　card　to　keep　up　my　
sleeve；　just　in　case。　That’s　how　we　Stryders　are—we　like　to　be　prepared。”

　We　passed　the　dim　light—it　came　from　a　fist…sized　hole　in　the　ceiling；　making　a　small　circle　of　brightness　
on　the　floor。　When　it　was　behind　us；　I　could　see　another　spot　of　illumination　far　ahead。　

　

　I　wanted　to　ask　him　how；　but　I　couldn’t　bring　myself　to　speak。　Silence　was　safest。

　The　floor　began　to　slant　downward　at　a　steeper　angle。　The　terrain　was　broken　into　rough　steps；　but　they　
seemed　secure　enough。　Jeb　led　me　down　them　confidently。　As　we　dropped　lower　and　lower　into　the　
ground；　the　heat　and　humidity　increased。

　I　stiffened　when　I　heard　a　babble　of　voices　again；　this　time　from　ahead。　Jeb　patted　my　hand　kindly。

　“You’ll　like　this　part—it’s　always　everyone’s　favorite；”　he　promised。

　A　wide；　open　arch　shimmered　with　moving　light。　It　was　the　same　color　as　the　light　in　the　big　room；　pure　
and　white；　but　it　flickered　at　a　strange　dancing　pace。　Like　everything　else　that　I　couldn’t　understand　in　this　
cavern；　the　light　frightened　me。

　“Here　we　are；”　Jeb　said　enthusiastically；　pulling　me　through　the　archway。　“What　do　you　think？”

　CHAPTER　17

　Visited

　The　heat　hit　me　first—like　a　wall　of　steam；　the　moist；　thick　air　rolled　over　me　and　dewed　on　my　skin。　My　
mouth　opened　automatically　as　I　tried　to　pull　a　breath　from　the　abruptly　denser　air。　The　smell　was　
stronger　than　before—that　same　metallic　tang　that　clung　in　my　throat　and　flavored　the　water　here。

　The　murmuring　babble　of　bass　and　soprano　voices　seemed　to　issue　from　every　side；　echoing　off　the　
walls。　I　squinted　anxiously　through　the　swirling　cloud　of　moisture；　trying　to　make　out　where　the　voices　
came　from。　It　was　bright　here—the　ceiling　was　dazzling；　like　in　the　big　room　but　much　closer。　The　light　
danced　off　the　vapor；　creating　a　shimmering　curtain　that　almost　blinded　me。　My　eyes　struggled　to　adjust；　
and　I　clutched　at　Jeb’s　hand　in　panic。

　I　was　surprised　that　the　strangely　fluid　babble　did　not　respond　in　any　way　to　our　entrance。　Perhaps　they　
couldn’t　see　us　yet；　either。

　“It’s　a　bit　close　in　here；”　Jeb　said　apologetically；　fanning　at　the　steam　in　front　of　his　face。　His　voice　was　
relaxed；　conversational　in　tone；　and　loud　enough　to　make　me　jump。　He　spoke　as　if　we　were　not　
surrounded。　And　the　babble　continued；　oblivious　to　his　voice。

　“Not　that　I’m　plaining；”　he　continued。　“I’d　be　dead　several　times　over　if　this　place　didn’t　exist。　The　
very　first　time　I　got　stuck　in　the　caves；　of　course。　And　now；　we’d　never　be　able　to　hide　out　here　without　
it。　With　no　hiding　place；　we’re　all　dead；　right？”

　He　nudged　me　with　his　elbow；　a　conspiratorial　gesture。　

　

　His　laugh　cleared　a　section　of　mist；　and　I　saw　the　room　for　the　first　time。

　Two　rivers　flowed　through　the　dank；　high…domed　space。　This　was　the　chatter　that　filled　my　ears—the　
water　gushing　over　and　under　the　purple　volcanic　rock。　Jeb　spoke　as　if　we　were　alone　because　we　were。

　It　was　really　only　one　river　and　one　small　stream。　The　stream　was　closest；　a　shallow　braided　ribbon　of　
silver　in　the　light　from　above；　coursing　between　low　stone　banks　that　it　seemed　constantly　in　danger　of　
overrunning。　A　feminine；　high…pitched　murmur　purred　from　its　gentle　ripples。

　The　male；　bass　gurgle　came　from　the　river；　as　did　the　thick　clouds　of　vapor　that　rose　from　the　gaping　
holes　in　the　ground　by　the　far　wall。　The　river　was　black；　submerged　under　the　floor　of　the　cavern；　
exposed　by　wide；　round　erosions　along　the　length　of　the　room。　The　holes　looked　dark　and　dangerous；　
the　river　barely　visible　as　it　rushed　powerfully　toward　an　invisible　and　unfathomable　destination。　The　
water　seemed　to　simmer；　such　was　the　heat　and　steam　it　produced。　The　sound　of　it；　too；　was　like　that　of　
boiling　water。

　From　the　ceiling　hung　a　few　long；　narrow　stalactites；　dripping　toward　the　stalagmites　beneath　each　one。　
Three　of　them　had　met；　forming　thin　black　pillars　between　the　two　bodies　of　flowing　water。

　“Got　to　be　careful　in　here；”　Jeb　said。　“Quite　a　current　in　the　hot　spring。　If　you　fall　in；　you’re　gone。　
Happened　once　before。”　He　bowed　his　head　at　the　memory；　his　face　sober。

　The　swift　black　eddies　of　the　subterranean　river　were　suddenly　horrible　to　me。　I　imagined　being　caught　in　
their　scalding　current　and　shuddered。

　Jeb　put　his　hand　lightly　on　my　shoulder。　“Don’t　worry。　Just　watch　your　step　and　you’ll　be　fine。　Now；”　he　
said；　pointing　to　the　far　end　of　the　cavern；　where　the　shallow　stream　ran　into　a　dark　cave；　“the　first　cave　
back　there　is　the　bathing　room。　We’ve　dug　the　floor　out　to　make　a　nice；　deep　tub。　There’s　a　schedule　for　
taking　baths；　but　privacy’s　not　usually　an　issue—it’s　black　as　pitch。　The　room’s　nice　and　warm　so　close　
to　the　steam；　but　the　water　won’t　burn　you　like　the　hot　spring　here。　There’s　another　cave　just　past　that　
one；　through　a　crevice。　We’ve　widened　the　entrance　up　to　a　fortable　size。　That　room　is　the　farthest　
we　can　follow　the　stream—it　drops　underground　there。　So　we’ve　got　that　room　fixed　up　as　the　latrine。　
Convenient　and　sanitary。”　His　voice　had　assumed　a　placent　tone；　as　if　he　felt　credit　was　due　to　him　
for　nature’s　creations。　Well；　he　had　discovered　and　improved　the　place—I　supposed　some　pride　was　
justified。

　“We　don’t　like　to　waste　batteries；　and　most　of　us　know　the　floor　here　by　heart；　but　since　it’s　your　first　
time；　you　can　find　your　way　with　this。”

　Jeb　pulled　a　flashlight　from　his　pocket　and　held　it　out。　The　sight　of　it　reminded　me　of　the　moment　he’d　
found　me　dying　in　the　desert；　when　he’d　checked　my　eyes　and　known　what　I　was。　I　didn’t　know　why　the　
memory　made　me　sad。

　“Don’t　get　any　crazy　ideas　about　maybe　the　river　taking　you　out　of　here　or　something。　Once　that　water　
goes　underground；　it　doesn’t　e　back　up；”　he　cautioned　me。

　Since　he　seemed　to　be　waiting　for　some　acknowledgment　of　his　warning；　I　nodded　once。　I　took　the　
flashlight　from　his　hand　slowly；　being　careful　not　to　make　any　quick　movements　that　might　startle　him。　

　

　I　followed　his　directions　quickly—the　sound　of　the　rushing　water　was　not　making　my　disfort　any　
easier　to　bear。　It　felt　very　strange　to　be　out　of　his　sight。　What　if　someone　had　hidden　in　these　caves；　
guessing　I　would　have　to　e　here　eventually？　Would　Jeb　hear　the　struggle　over　the　cacophony　of　the　
rivers？

　I　shone　the　flashlight　all　around　the　bathing　room；　looking　for　any　sign　of　an　ambush。　The　odd　flickering　
shadows　it　made　were　not　forting；　but　I　found　no　substance　to　my　fears。　Jeb’s　tub　was　more　the　size　
of　a　small　swimming　pool　and　black　as　ink。　Under　the　surface；　a　person　would　be　invisible　as　long　as　they　
could　hold　their　breath。…　I　hurried　through　the　slender　crack　at　the　back　of　the　room　to　escape　my　
imaginings。　Away　from　Jeb；　I　was　nearly　overwhelmed　with　panic—I　couldn’t　breathe　normally；　I　could　
barely　hear　over　the　sound　of　my　pulse　racing　behind　my　ears。　I　was　more　running　than　walking　when　I　
made　my　way　back　to　the　room　with　the　rivers。

　To　find　Jeb　standing　there；　still　in　the　same　pose；　still　alone；　was　like　a　balm　to　my　splintered　nerves。　My　
breathing　and　my　heartbeat　slowed。　Why　this　crazy　human　should　be　such　a　fort　to　me；　I　couldn’t　
understand。　I　supposed　it　was　like　Melanie　had　said；desperate　times。

　“Not　too　shabby；　eh？”　he　asked；　a　grin　of　pride　on　his　face。

　I　nodded　once　again　and　returned　the　flashlight。

　“These　caves　are　a　great　gift；”　he　said　as　we　started　back　toward　the　dark　passageway。　“We　wouldn’t　
be　able　to　survive　in　a　group　like　this　without　them。　Magnolia　and　Sharon　were　getting　along　real　
well—shockingly　well—up　there　in　Chicago；　but　they　were　pushing　their　luck　hiding　two。　It’s　mighty　nice　
to　have　a　munity　again。　Makes　me　feel　downright　human。”

　He　took　my　elbow　once　more　as　we　climbed　the　rough　stair…case　out。

　“I’m　sorry　about　the；　um；　acmodations　we’ve　got　you　in。　It　was　the　safest　place　I　could　think　of。　I’m　
surprised　those　boys　found　you　as　quick　as　they　did。”　Jeb　sighed。　“Well；　Kyle　gets　real…　motivated。　But　
I　suppose　it’s　all　for　the　best。　Might　as　well　get　used　to　how　things　are　going　to　be。　Maybe　we　can　find　
something　more　hospitable　for　you。　I’ll　think　on　it。…　While　I’m　with　you；　at　least；　you　don’t　really　have　
to　cram　yourself　into　that　little　hole。　You　can　sit　in　the　hall　with　me　if　you　prefer。　Though　with　Jared…”　
He　trailed　off。

　I　listened　to　his　apologetic　words　in　wonder；　this　was　so　much　more　kindness　than　I’d　hoped　for；　more　
passion　than　I’d　thought　this　species　was　capable　of　giving　their　enemies。　I　patted　the　hand　on　my　
elbow　lightly；　hesitantly；　trying　to　convey　that　I　understood　and　wouldn’t　cause　a　problem。　I　was　sure　
Jared　much　preferred　to　have　me　out　of　sight。

　Jeb　had　no　trouble　translating　my　wordless　munication。　“That’s　a　good　girl；”　he　said。　“We’ll　figure　
this　all　out　somehow。　Doc　can　just　concentrate　on　healin’　human　folks。　You’re　much　more　interesting　
alive；I　think。”

　Our　bodies　were　close　enough　that　he　was　able　to　feel　me　tremble。

　“Don’t　worry。　Doc’s　not　going　to　bother　you　now。”　

　

　You　never　know　how　much　time　you’ll　have；Melanie　had　said　so　many　days　ago；　when　my　world　was　
still　under　control。

　Her　words　echoed　in　my　head　as　we　reentered　the　big　room；　the　main　plaza　of　Jeb’s　human　munity。　
It　was　full；　like　the　first　night；　everyone　there　to　glare　at　us　with　eyes　that　blazed　anger　and　betrayal　when　
they　looked　at　him　and　murder　when　they　looked　at　me。　I　kept　my　gaze　down　on　the　rock　under　my　feet。　
From　the　corner　of　my　eye；　I　could　see　that　Jeb　held　his　gun　ready　again。

　It　was　only　a　matter　of　time；　indeed。　I　could　feel　it　in　the　atmosphere　of　hate　and　fear。　Jeb　could　not　
protect　me　long。

　It　was　a　relief　to　scrape　back　through　the　narrow　crevice；　to　look　forward　to　the　winding　black　labyrinth　
and　my　cramped　hiding　place；　I　could　hope　to　be　alone　there。

　Behind　me；　a　furious　hissing；　like　a　nest　of　goaded　snakes；　echoed　in　the　big　cavern。　The　sound　made　
me　wish　Jeb　would　lead　me　through　the　labyrinth　at　a　quicker　pace。

　Jeb　chuckled　under　his　breath。　He　seemed　to　get　stranger　the　longer　I　was　around　him。　His　sense　of　
humor　mystified　me　as　much　as　his　motivations　did。

　“It　gets　a　bit　tedious　down　here　sometimes；　you　know；”　he　murmured　to　me；　or　to　himself。　With　Jeb；　it　
was　hard　to　tell。　“Maybe　when　they　get　over　being　cheesed　off　at　me；　they’ll　realize　they　appreciate　all　
the　excitement　I’m　providing。”

　Our　path　through　the　dark　twisted　in　a　serpentine　fashion。　It　didn’t　feel　at　all　familiar。　Perhaps　he　took　a　
different　route　to　keep　me　lost。　It　seemed　to　take　more　time　than　before；　but　finally　I　could　see　the　dim　
blue　light　of　the　lamp　shining　from　around　the　next　curve。

　I　braced　myself；　wondering　if　Jared　would　be　there　again。　If　he　was；　I　knew　he　would　be　angry。　I　was　
sure　he　wouldn’t　approve　of　Jeb　taking　me　for　a　field　trip；　no　matter　how　necessary　it　might　have　been。

　As　soon　as　we　rounded　the　corner；　I　could　see　that　therewas　a　figure　slumped　against　the　wall　beside　
the　lamp；　casting　a　long　shadow　toward　us；　but　it　was　obviously　not　Jared。　My　hand　clutched　at　Jeb’s　
arm；　an　automatic　spasm　of　fear。

　And　then　I　really　looked　at　the　waiting　figure。　It　was　smaller　than　me—that　was　how　I’d　known　it　was　
not　Jared—and　thin。　Small；　but　also　too　tall　and　too　wiry。　Even　in　the　dim　light　of　the　blue　lamp；　I　could　
see　that　his　skin　was　dyed　to　a　deep　brown　by　the　sun；　and　that　his　silky　black　hair　now　fell　unkempt　past　
his　chin。

　My　knees　buckled。

　My　hand；　grasping　Jeb’s　arm　in　panic；　held　on　for　support。

　“Well；　for　Pete’s　sake！”　Jeb　exclaimed；　obviously　irritated。　“Can’t　nobody　keep　a　secret　around　this　
place　for　more’n　twenty…four　hours？　Gol’　durn；　this　burns　me　up！　Bunch　of　gossipmongers…”　He　trailed　

　

　I　didn’t　even　try　to　understand　the　words　Jeb　was　saying；　I　was　locked　in　the　fiercest　battle　of　my　
life—of　every　life　I’d　ever　lived。

　I　could　feel　Melanie　in　each　cell　of　my　body。　My　nerve　endings　tingled　in　recognition　of　her　familiar　
presence。　My　muscles　twitched　in　anticipation　of　her　direction。　My　lips　trembled；　try