@@@@@“They would take me out and put me in
@@@@@“They would take me out and put me in another hostSomeone young,
tractableThey would hope that I would be able to be myself againMaybe they would ship me
off-planet–get me away from the bad influences
“Would you be yourself again?”
I met his gazeI haven't lost myself to MelanieI would feel the same as I do now,
even as a Bear or a Flower
“They wouldn'tdiscard you?”
“Not a soulWe have no capital punishment for our kindOr any punishment, reallyWhatever
they did, it would be to save meI used to think there was no need for any other way, but now I
have myself as proof against that theoryIt would probably be right to discard meI'm a traitor,
aren't I?”
Ian pursed his lips“More of an expatriate, I'd sayYou haven't turned on them; you've just left
their society
We were quiet againI wanted to believe what he said was trueI considered the
wordexpatriate, trying to convince myself that I was nothing worse
Ian exhaled loudly enough to make me jump“When Doc sobers up, we'll get him to take a
look at your face He reached over and put his hand under my chin; this time I didn't flinchHe
turned my head to the side so he could examine the wound
“It's not importantI'm sure it looks worse than it is