[科幻]宿主-第56章

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really　gone　and　can’t　catch　us。”　He　grinned　conspiratorially。　“Then　we’ll　have　some　fun！”　
I　remembered　that　his　idea　of　fun　was　usually　along　the　lines　of　an　armed　standoff。　
He　chuckled　at　my　expression。　“Don’t　worry　about　it。　While　we’re　waiting；　you　might　as　well　try　to　get　


some　rest。　I’ll　bet　even　that　skinny　mattress　would　feel　pretty　good　to　you　right　now。”　
I　looked　from　his　face　to　the　mat　on　the　floor　and　back。　
“Go　on；”　he　said。　“You　look　like　you　could　use　a　good　sleep。　I’ll　keep　watch　over　you。”　
Touched；　new　moisture　in　my　eyes；　I　sank　down　on　the　mat　and　laid　my　head　on　the　pillow。　It　was　

heavenly；　despite　Jeb’s　calling　it　thin。　I　stretched　out　to　my　full　height；　pointing　my　toes　and　reaching　out　
with　my　fingers。　I　heard　my　joints　popping。　Then　I　let　myself　wilt　into　the　mattress。　It　felt　as　if　it　were　
hugging　me；　erasing　all　the　sore　spots。　I　sighed。

　“Does　me　good　to　see　that；”　Jeb　muttered。　“It’s　like　an　itch　you　can’t　scratch；　knowing　someone　is　

suffering　under　your　own　roof。”　
He　eased　himself　to　the　floor　a　few　yards　away　and　started　humming　quietly。　I　was　asleep　before　he’d　
finished　the　first　bar。

　When　I　woke　up；　I　knew　that　I’d　been　solidly　asleep　for　a　long　time—a　longer　stretch　than　I’d　slept　
since　ing　here。　No　pains；　no　frightening　interruptions。　I　would　have　felt　pretty　good；　except　that　
waking　on　the　pillow　reminded　me　that　Jared　was　gone。　It　still　smelled　like　him。　And　in　a　good　way；　not　
the　way　I　smelled。

　Back　to　just　dreams。Melanie　sighed　forlornly。

　I　remembered　my　dream　only　vaguely；　but　I　knew　it　had　featured　Jared；　as　was　usual　when　I　was　able　
to　sleep　deeply　enough　to　dream。　
“Morning；　kid；”　Jeb　said；　sounding　chipper。　
I　peeled　back　my　lids　to　look　at　him。　Had　he　sat　against　the　wall　all　night？　He　didn’t　look　tired；　but　I　

suddenly　felt　guilty　for　monopolizing　the　better　acmodations。　
“So　the　guys　are　long　gone；”　he　said　enthusiastically。　“How　’bout　a　tour？”　He　stroked　the　gun　slung　
through　a　strap　at　his　waist　with　an　unconscious　gesture。　

　

　“Now；　don’t　turn　sissy　on　me。　Nobody’s　going　to　bother　you。　And　you’ll　need　to　be　able　to　find　your　
way　around　eventually。”

　He　held　out　a　hand　to　help　me　up。

　I　took　it　automatically；　my　head　spinning　as　I　tried　to　process　what　he　was　saying。　I　would　need　to　find　
my　way　around？　Why？　And　what　did　he　mean　“eventually”？　How　long　did　he　expect　me　to　last？

　He　pulled　me　to　my　feet　and　led　me　forward。

　I’d　forgotten　what　it　was　like　to　move　through　the　dark　tunnels　with　a　hand　guiding　me。　It　was　so　
easy—walking　barely　took　any　concentration　at　all。

　“Let’s　see；”　Jeb　murmured。　“Maybe　the　right　wing　first。　Set　up　a　decent　place　for　you。　Then　the　
kitchens…”　He　went　on　planning　his　tour；　continuing　as　we　stepped　through　the　narrow　crevice　into　the　
bright　tunnel　that　led　to　the　even　brighter　big　room。　When　the　sound　of　voices　reached　us；　I　felt　my　mouth　
go　dry。　Jeb　kept　right　on　chatting　at　me；　either　missing　or　ignoring　my　terror。

　“I’ll　bet　the　carrots　are　sprouted　today；”　he　was　saying　as　he　led　me　into　the　main　plaza。　The　light　
blinded　me；　and　I　couldn’t　see　who　was　there；　but　I　could　feel　their　eyes　on　me。　The　sudden　silence　was　
as　ominous　as　ever。

　“Yep；”　Jeb　answered　himself。　“Now；　I　always　think　that　looks　real　pretty。　A　nice　spring　green　like　that　is　
a　treat　to　see。”

　He　stopped　and　held　his　hand　out；　inviting　me　to　look。　I　squinted　in　the　direction　he　gestured；　but　my　
eyes　kept　darting　around　the　room　as　I　waited　for　them　to　adjust。　It　took　a　moment；　but　then　I　saw　what　
he　was　talking　about。　I　also　saw　that　there　were　maybe　fifteen　people　here　today；　all　of　them　regarding　
me　with　hostile　eyes。　But　they　were　busy　with　something　else；　too。

　The　wide；　dark　square　that　took　up　the　center　of　the　big　cavern　was　no　longer　dark。　Half　of　it　was　fuzzy　
with　spring　green；　just　as　Jeb　had　said。　Itwas　pretty。　And　amazing。

　No　wonder　no　one　stood　on　this　space。　It　was　a　garden。

　“Carrots？”　I　whispered。

　He　answered　at　normal　volume。　“This　half　that’s　greening　up。　The　other　half　is　spinach。　Should　be　up　in　a　
few　days。”

　The　people　in　the　room　had　gone　back　to　work；　still　peeking　at　me　now　and　then　but　mostly　
concentrating　on　what　they　were　doing。　It　was　easy　enough　to　understand　their　actions—and　the　big　
barrel　on　wheels；　and　the　hoses—now　that　I　recognized　the　garden。

　“Irrigating？”　I　whispered　again。

　“That’s　right。　Dries　out　pretty　quick　in　this　heat。”　

　

　I　tugged　Jeb’s　sleeve　and　squinted　up　at　the　dazzling　light。　“How？”

　Jeb　smiled；　seeming　thrilled　with　my　curiosity。　“Same　way　the　magicians　do　it—with　mirrors；　kid。　
Hundreds　of　’em。　Took　me　long　enough　to　get　them　all　up　there。　It’s　nice　to　have　extra　hands　around　
here　when　they　need　cleaning。　See；　there’s　only　four　small　vents　in　the　ceiling　here；　and　that　wasn’t　

enough　light　for　what　I　had　in　mind。　What　do　you　think　of　it？”

　He　pulled　his　shoulders　back；　proud　again。

　“Brilliant；”　I　whispered。　“Astonishing。”

　Jeb　grinned　and　nodded；　enjoying　my　reaction。

　“Let’s　keep　on；”　he　suggested。　“Got　a　lot　to　do　today。”

　He　led　me　to　a　new　tunnel；　a　wide；　naturally　shaped　tube　that　ran　off　from　the　big　cave。　This　was　new　

territory。　My　muscles　all　locked　up；　I　moved　forward　with　stiff　legs；　unbending　knees。

　Jeb　patted　my　hand　but　otherwise　ignored　my　nerves。　“This　is　mostly　sleeping　quarters　and　some　
storage。　The　tubes　are　closer　to　the　surface　here；　so　it　was　easier　to　get　some　light。”

　He　pointed　up　at　a　bright；　slender　crack　in　the　tunnel　ceiling　overhead。　It　threw　a　hand…sized　spot　of　
white　onto　the　floor。

　We　reached　a　broad　fork—not　really　a　fork；　because　there　were　too　many　tines。　It　was　an　octopus…like　

branching　of　passageways。

　“Third　from　the　left；”　he　said；　and　looked　at　me　expectantly。

　“Third　from　the　left？”　I　repeated。

　“That’s　right。　Don’t　forget。　It’s　easy　to　get　lost　around　here；　and　that　wouldn’t　be　safe　for　you。　Folks’d　

just　as　soon　stab　you　as　send　you　in　the　right　direction。”

　I　shuddered。　“Thanks；”　I　muttered　with　quiet　sarcasm。

　He　laughed　as　if　my　answer　had　delighted　him。　“No　point　in　ignoring　the　truth。　Doesn’t　make　it　worse　to　

have　it　said　out　loud。”

　It　didn’t　make　it　better；　either；　but　I　didn’t　say　that。　I　was　beginning　to　enjoy　myself　just　a　little。　It　was　so　
nice　to　have　someone　talk　to　me　again。　Jeb　was；　if　nothing　else；　interesting　pany。

　“One；　two；　three；”　he　counted　off；　then　he　led　me　down　the　third　hallway　from　the　left。　We　started　
passing　round　entrances　covered　by　a　variety　of　makeshift　doors。　Some　were　curtained　off　with　
patterned　sheets　of　fabric；　others　had　big　pieces　of　cardboard　duct…taped　together。　One　hole　had　two　
real　doors—one　red…painted　wood；　one　gray　metal—leaning　over　the　opening。　

　

　“This　is　the　only　space　I　can　think　of　for　now。　The　only　one　that’s　fitted　up　decent　for　human　habitation。　
It　will　be　empty　for　a　few　weeks；　and　we’ll　figure　something　better　out　for　you　by　the　time　it’s　needed　
again。”

　He　folded　the　screen　aside；　and　a　light　that　was　brighter　than　that　in　the　hallway　greeted　us。

　The　room　he　revealed　gave　me　a　strange　feeling　of　vertigo—probably　because　it　was　so　much　taller　than　
it　was　wide。　Standing　inside　it　was　like　standing　in　a　tower　or　a　silo；　not　that　I　had　ever　been　in　such　
places；　but　those　were　the　parisons　Melanie　made。　The　ceiling；　twice　as　high　as　the　room　was　wide；　
was　a　maze　of　cracks。　Like　vines　of　light；　the　cracks　circled　around　and　almost　met。　This　seemed　
dangerous　to　me—unstable。　But　Jeb　showed　no　fear　of　cave…ins　as　he　led　me　farther　in。

　There　was　a　double…sized　mattress　on　the　floor；　with　about　a　yard　of　space　on　three　sides　of　it。　The　two　
pillows　and　two　blankets　twisted　into　two　separate　configurations　on　either　half　of　the　mattress　made　it　
look　as　if　this　room　housed　a　couple。　A　thick　wooden　pole—something　like　a　rake　handle—was　braced　
horizontally　against　the　far　wall　at　shoulder　height　with　the　ends　lodged　in　two　of　the　Swiss　cheese　holes　
in　the　rock。　Over　it　were　draped　a　handful　of　T…shirts　and　two　pairs　of　jeans。　A　wooden　stool　was　flush　
with　the　wall　beside　the　makeshift　clothes　rack；　and　on　the　floor　beneath　it　was　a　stack　of　worn　
paperback　books。

　“Who？”　I　said　to　Jeb；　whispering　again。　This　space　so　obviously　belonged　to　someone　that　I　no　longer　
felt　like　we　were　alone。

　“Just　one　of　the　guys　out　on　the　raid。　Won’t　be　back　for　a　while。　We’ll　find　you　something　by　then。”

　I　didn’t　like　it—not　the　room；　but　the　idea　of　staying　in　it。　The　presence　of　the　owner　was　strong　despite　
the　simple　belongings。　No　matter　who　he　was；　he　would　not　be　happy　to　have　me　here。　He　would　hate　it。

　Jeb　seemed　to　read　my　mind—or　maybe　the　expression　on　my　face　was　clear　enough　that　he　didn’t　
have　to。

　“Now；　now；”　he　said。　“Don’t　worry　about　that。　This　ismy　house；　and　this　is　just　one　of　my　many　guest　
rooms。　I　say　who　is　and　isn’t　my　guest。　Right　now；　you　are　my　guest；　and　I　am　offering　you　this　room。”

　I　still　didn’t　like　it；　but　I　wasn’t　going　to　upset　Jeb；　either。　I　vowed　that　I　would　disturb　nothing；　if　it　
meant　sleeping　on　the　floor。

　“Well；　let’s　keep　moving。　Don’t　forget：　third　from　the　left；　seventh　in。”

　“Green　screen；”　I　added。

　“Exactly。”

　Jeb　took　me　back　through　the　big　garden　room；　around　the　perimeter　to　the　opposite　side；　and　through　
the　biggest　tunnel　exit。　When　we　passed　the　irrigators；　they　stiffened　and　turned；　afraid　to　have　me　behind　
their　backs。　

　

　“We　go　even　closer　to　the　surface　now。　It　gets　drier；　but　it　gets　hotter；　too。”

　I　noticed　that　almost　immediately。　Instead　of　being　steamed；　we　were　now　being　baked。　The　air　was　less　
stuffy　and　stale。　I　could　taste　the　desert　dust。

　There　were　more　voices　ahead。　I　tried　to　steel　myself　against　the　inevitable　reaction。　If　Jeb　insisted　on　
treating　me　like…　like　a　human；　like　a　wele　guest；　I　was　going　to　have　to　get　used　to　this。　No　reason　
to　let　it　make　me　nauseous　over　and　over　again。　My　stomach　began　an　unhappy　rolling　anyway。

　“This　way’s　the　kitchen；”　Jeb　told　me。

　At　first　I　thought　we　were　in　another　tunnel；　one　crowded　with　people。　I　pressed　myself　against　the　wall；　
trying　to　keep　my　distance。

　The　kitchen　was　a　long　corridor　with　a　high　ceiling；　higher　than　it　was　wide；　like　my　new　quarters。　The　
light　was　bright　and　hot。　Instead　of　thin　crevices　through　deep　rock；　this　place　had　huge　open　holes。

　“Can’t　cook　in　the　daytime；　of　course。　Smoke；　you　know。　So　we　mainly　use　this　as　the　mess　hall　until　
nightfall。”

　All　conversation　had　e　to　an　abrupt　halt；　so　Jeb’s　words　were　clear　for　everyone　to　hear。　I　tried　to　
hide　behind　him；　but　he　kept　walking　farther　in。

　We’d　interrupted　breakfast；　or　maybe　it　was　lunch。

　The　humans—almost　twenty　at　a　quick　estimate—were　very　close　here。　It　wasn’t　like　the　big　cavern。　I　
wanted　to　keep　my　eyes　on　the　floor；　but　I　couldn’t　stop　them　from　flashing　around　the　room。　Just　in　
case。　I　could　feel　my　body　tensing　to　run　for　it；　though　where　I　w