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My stomach gurgles； and I clench my abdominal muscles to stifle the sound。 It is quiet enough that the
murmur carries。
I am so hungry。
There is another need that is stronger—another hungry stomach hidden safely far away in the darkness；
waiting alone in the rough cave that is our temporary home。 A cramped place； jagged with volcanic rock。
What will he do if I don’t e back？ All the pressure of motherhood with none of the knowledge or
experience。 I feel so hideously helpless。 Jamie is hungry。
There are no other houses close to this one。 I’ve been watching since the sun was still white hot in the
sky； and I don’t think there is a dog； either。
I ease up from my crouch； my calves screaming in protest； but keep hunched at the waist； trying to be
smaller than the bush。 The way up the wash is smooth sand； a pale pathway in the light of the stars。 There
are no sounds of cars on the road。
I know what they will realize when they return； the monsters who look like a nice couple in their early
fifties。 They will know exactly what I am； and the search will begin at once。 I need to be far away。 I really
hope they are going out for a night on the town。 I think it’s Friday。 They keep our habits so perfectly； it’s
hard to see any difference。 Which is how they won in the first place。
The fence around the yard is only waist high。 I get over easily； noiselessly。 The yard is gravel； though；
and I have to walk carefully to keep my weight from shifting it。 I make it to the patio slab。
The blinds are open。 The starlight is enough to see that the rooms are empty of movement。 This couple
goes for a spartan look； and I’m grateful。 It makes it harder for someone to hide。 Of course； that leaves
no place for me to hide； either； but if it es to hiding for me； it’s too late anyway。
The cool air feels like heaven。
The kitchen is to my left。 I can see the gleam of granite counters。
I pull the canvas bag from my shoulder and start with the refrigerator。 There is a moment of anxiety as
the light es on when the door opens； but I find the button and hold it down with my toe。 My eyes are
blind。 I don’t have time to let them adjust。 I go by feel。
Milk； cheese slices； leftovers in a plastic bowl。 I hope it’s the chicken…and…rice thing I watched him
cooking for dinner。 We’ll eat this tonight。
Juice； a bag of apples。 Baby carrots。 These will stay good till morning。
I hurry to the pantry。 I need things that will keep longer。
I can see better as I gather as much as I can carry。 Mmm； chocolate chip cookies。 I’m dying to open the
bag right now； but I grit my teeth and ignore the twist of my empty stomach。
The bag gets heavy too quickly。 This will last us only a week； even if we’re careful with it。 And I don’t
feel like being careful； I feel like gorging。 I shove granola bars into my pockets。
One more thing。 I hurry to the sink and refill my canteen。 Then I put my head under the flow and gulp
straight from the stream。 The water makes odd noises when it hits my hollow stomach。
I start to feel panicked now that my job is done。 I want to be out of here。 Civilization is deadly。
I watch the floor on my way out； worried about tripping with my heavy bag； which is why I don’t see the
silhouetted black figure on the patio until my hand is on the door。
I hear his mumbled oath at the same time that a stupid squeak of fear escapes my mouth。 I spin to sprint
for the front door； hoping the locks are not latched； or at least not difficult。
I don’t even get two steps before rough； hard hands grab my shoulders and wrench me back against his
body。 Too big； too strong to be a woman。 The bass voice proves me right。
“One sound and you die；” he threatens gruffly。 I am shocked to feel a thin； sharp edge pushing into the
skin under my jaw。
I don’t understand。 I shouldn’t be given a choice。 Who is this monster？ I’ve never heard of one who
would break rules。 I answer the only way I can。
“Do it；” I spit through my teeth。 “Just do it。 I don’t want to be a filthy parasite！”
I wait for the knife； and my heart is aching。 Each beat has a name。 Jamie； Jamie； Jamie。 What will
happen to you now？
“Clever；” the man mutters； and it doesn’t sound like he’s speaking to me。 “Must be a Seeker。 And that
means a trap。 How did they know？” The steel disappears from my throat； only to be replaced by a hand
I can barely breathe under his grip。
“Where are the rest of them？” he demands； squeezing。
“It’s just me！” I rasp。 I can’t lead him to Jamie。 What will Jamie do when I don’t e back？ Jamie is
hungry！
I throw my elbow into his gut—and this really hurts。 His stomach muscles are as iron hard as the hand。
Which is very strange。 Muscles like that are the product of hard living or obsession； and the parasites
have neither。
He doesn’t even suck in a breath at my blow。 Desperate； I jab my heel into his instep。 This catches him
off guard； and he wobbles。 I wrench away； but he grabs hold of my bag； yanking me back into his body。
His hand clamps down on my throat again。
“Feisty for a peace…loving body snatcher； aren’t you？”
His words are nonsensical。 I thought the aliens were all the same。 I guess they have their nut jobs； too；
after all。
I twist and claw； trying to break his hold。 My nails catch his arm； but this just makes him tighten his hold
on my throat。
“Iwill kill you； you worthless body thief。 I’m not bluffing。”
“Do it； then！”
Suddenly he gasps； and I wonder if any of my flailing limbs have made contact。 I don’t feel any new
bruises。
He lets go of my arm and grabs my hair。 This must be it。 He’s going to cut my throat。 I brace for the
slice of the knife。
But the hand on my throat eases up； and then his fingers are fumbling on the back of my neck； rough and
warm on my skin。
“Impossible；” he breathes。
Something hits the floor with a thud。 He’s dropped the knife？ I try to think of a way to get it。 Maybe if I
fall。 The hand on my neck isn’t tight enough to keep me from yanking free。 I think I heard where the