Disclaimer: The plot, characters, setting, etc. belong wholly to the author- Stephenie Meyer. Assumptions were made that may or may not coincide with the individual views you or the author may have. Also, however close to the actual book this story is, copyright infringement was not intended, and this was written for the sole purpose of your enjoyment.


Summary: Melanie's body is found, but her soul is not. As a new soul begins to take charge, changes emerge. Ian and the doctor set out to protect her from herself and those around her, but Ian's sympathy grows as the days go on. Will he continue to watch over her as his emotions increase, or will he pass his supervision duties over to someone else?



Chapter 1

“Can you keep an eye on her, Ian?”

Why wouldn’t I keep an eye on her? I needed to make sure she wasn’t telling the Seekers where to find us, and she’s a good specimen. The more we learn about her, the easier taking our planet back will become.

She, she, she. Why would anyone call her “it” when she was in a woman’s body was completely over my head and still flying. I started shaking my head. That’s the good thing about sitting in the back corner- people don’t look at you funny when you start doing things like shaking your head randomly.

“This way’s the kitchen,” I heard Jeb say behind me. “Can‘t cook in the daytime, of course. Smoke you know. So we mainly use this as the mess hall until nightfall.”

I turned around to see the girl and Jeb entering the mess hall. She seemed frightened as ever as pressed herself against the wall. Her eyes wandered around the room, stopping slightly at Doc… and me. My sympathy for this creature was surprising- even to myself. I mean, what if my brother was right? What if she was just manipulating us so that she could change us into parasites, as well?

“Everybody full so quickly?” Jeb asked loud and sarcastically. I blinked. Being so lost in thought, I had hardly noticed the stillness of silence as everyone watched the pair make their way through the mess hall.

“Lost our appetites,” Maggie said. Had we? I didn’t know about her, but I was still feeling pretty ravenous. I wasn’t going to let this stop me from finishing my roll.

“How ‘bout you,” he said, turning to the girl. “You hungry?”

A quiet groan went through the mess hall. What were they groaning about? Couldn’t they see that she was more valuable to us alive than dead? Besides, anyone who couldn’t recognize her hunger was a flat out fool.

Instead of angering everyone, she just shook her head- a small but frantic motion. She could obviously see that these people would sooner eat her than watch her eat their precious food. I shook my head and sighed.

“Well I am,” Jeb grumbled. He walked down the aisle between the counters, but the girl didn’t follow. Good old Jeb, always acting like nothing unnatural is going on, even when something is. I remained looking at the girl. She looked like she was trying to make herself as small as possible until he came back.

“Well, let‘s just keep on movin’,” Jeb suggested around a mouthful of bread as he walked back to her. “Nobody seems able to concentrate on their lunch. Easily distracted, this set.” I chuckled silently. He always knew exactly what to say to make me smile.

As they began to exit, Jamie slowly got to his feet. As he hopped lightly off his seat and followed behind Jeb, the girl tilted her head slightly in concentration- as if she was talking to a voice within her head. Interesting, I would have to tell Doc my hypothesis next time we were alone. Speaking of Doc- I turned my head a little and tried to get his attention. Around me, it seemed as if everyone’s eyes were glued to Jamie as he approached the pair, and the silence elongated.

“Whatcha need, kid?” Jeb asked without looking at him.

“Just wondering what you‘re doing,” Jamie answered, his voice striving for nonchalance and failing due to limited experience.

Jeb stopped and turned to look at him after glancing at the girl. The girl- doesn’t she have a name? She needs one because the girl doesn’t feel like an appropriate term. “Takin’ her for a tour of the place. Just like I do for any newcomer,” Jeb said.

He was right- she was a newcomer. In fact, I’m surprised that he didn’t take her on a tour sooner, but then again, with my brother and Jared here….

There was another low grumble.

“Can I come?” Jamie asked with the quiet curiosity of a kitten and a ball of yarn mixed with the tightness of a knight preparing for battle. In front of me, Sharon shook her head frantically, clearly appalled. She did not approve of the girl, and as Doc’s wife, it was hard for him to watch over the girl without getting in trouble. Most of the “babysitting” would have to be done by me. Thankfully my brother wasn’t back yet; I could only imagine what remarks he would make on this point.

“Doesn‘t bother me… “ Jeb said, examining Jamie closely in an attempt to understand what was running through his mind. “If you can mind your manners.”

Jamie shrugged, unconcerned with the price he was paying to get to know the person within his sister. Or maybe it was because he just wanted to be with his sister, soul or not. “No problem.”

“Let‘s go.” Jeb said as he hustled out the door.

After they left, Doc finally looked at me. I nodded toward the door questionably. He silently nodded then stood up to put his dishes away. I stood up as well, and we tried to follow the group as inconspicuously as possible.