The universe is full of magical things,

Patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper

-Eden Philpotts

Burns

This place is amazing. On the outside you could never imagine the complicated cave system that runs underground.

After Ian, Wanderer and Aaron explain our sudden appearance to the others, we are ushered further inside. I've been introduced to so many people that I can barely keep up. Most are friendly, some not so much. There's a woman with black hair that Wanderer says is named Lacey. She looks at me with hostility and disdain, and though I've never met her before, she looks familiar.

"She was the Seeker appointed to me," Wanderer explains softly, "I didn't know she had a resistant host until she found this place. Even now, she doesn't like me much." She bites her lip and gives a sad smile. Ian rubs her arm affectionately. "Forget about her, Wanda some people are just bitter. Just ignore her."

"I know," Wanderer sighs, "I just wish she wouldn't hate me so much."

Other people are friendlier. And older looking man that I learn is the leader of this group, and Melanie's uncle Jeb, slaps my shoulder with a wide grin on his face. "Welcome in our humble home, lad. See, sweetheart, I knew there was hope for your kind. Maybe one day we will live in peace."

"I hope so, sir," I tell him honestly.

He pulls a face. "No one calls me sir. I'm Jeb. How do you like my place so far?"

"It's really beautiful," I say.

"Wait until you see the garden," Wanderer smiles, "can we take them there, uncle Jeb?"

"Sure, sweetheart," Jeb says, "but let's wait for the rest of their friends to arrive so they can have the tour all at once."

"Wanda! Wanda!" A teenage boy worms his way through the crowd and attaches himself to Wanderer's hand. It's quite amusing to watch since he's more than a head taller than her. "Is it true? Did you find others? Trudy said the have someone like you. You know, a nice Soul that helps us humans."

Wanderer smiles. "Yes, Jamie, we brought them, see?"

He looks at us now. "Is it only the three of you? I thought there were more. Where's Mel and Jared? Didn't they come back with you?"

"They're with the others, kid," Ian says, "bringing their van to safety. They offered to share their goods with us if we help them fix their car. They should be here soon."

Jamie's eyes light up. "So there's really more of them? How many? You think there's even more people out there somewhere?"

Blake chuckles at the boy's stream of words. "Man, and I thought Finn talks a lot." He holds out his hand towards Jamie. "I'm Blake. This is Rachel and Burns and Evan. Your Jared and Melanie are with our other friends. There's Nate, who acts like our boss, and Tom, Rob and Kim. But we're twenty-two in total. We know of three more groups."

"Three more?!" Jamie asks wide-eyed.

"Yup," Blake says.

"Burns Living Flowers is also a Soul, like me," Wanderer says.

Jamie studies me more closely. "Burns Living Flowers. Is that a Fire World name? Wanda told us about the other planets, she's been to almost all of them, but not to Fire World, right Wanda? Is that the only planet you've lived on?"

"Jamie," Jared's voice sounds from the entrance, "give our guests some time before the interrogation." But there's amusement in his voice.

"I don't mind," I smile.

"See," Jamie huffs, "he doesn't mind me asking questions. Why did you decide to help humans, Burns? Did you share a body with someone like my sister and Wanda?"

"Jamie!" Wanderer says in shock.

"What?" Jamie asks innocently, "it doesn't bother me, Wanda. You know that. I love you both."

Jeb clears his throat. "Yes, well, Jamie, maybe Wanda and Mel want to tell the story themselves, in their own time, or maybe not at all."

"No," Melanie says, "we'll tell, won't we, Wanda? I'm sure they'll want to know. Just like we want to know theirs."

Nate now steps forward and nods. "I'm sure we all have much to tell. There's plenty of time for that."

"I agree," Jeb says, "but first I'll give you a tour of the place. Then we'll eat a bite, and then we can all gather in the game room and share stories. I'm especially interested in those other human groups you've found and how you all get by."

...

This place really is amazing. The 'garden' as Wanderer calls it, exists of an enormous field with crops that is irrigated by some intricate mechanism. In the ceiling are thousands of mirrors to reflect the sunlight. And they can be adjusted by means of ropes and gears.

It makes a mockery of our own greenery.

There's an infirmary with actual doctors, a pool for bathing and one that's used as a toilet. They have an underground river, though the water tastes like sulfur.

We've met Sunny, the other Soul Wanderer mentioned. She is still trying to look for her host. She says there is no one in her head with her, but she is still trying. Because her host is Jody, Kyle's girlfriend. Kyle is Ian's brother.

I shake my head in wonder.

Now we're sitting in the large cave they call the gameroom. There are no tables with games set up like with us, but they play soccer.

At the moment though, this room is being used to share our stories, since the kitchen isn't nearly big enough to hold us all.

Only now do I notice the children. One of them might be around Finn's age. The other is younger. Finn will be happy to hear it.

We spend the next few hours talking. We learn about Melanie and Wanderer's story, about the humans they have brought back since, about their cave system. We tell them about Emma and me, about the other groups and life in the mines.

Then it's time for soccer. We are invited to join, but I decline. The others are happy to blow off some steam. Except for Nate and Rachel, who keep seated at the sidelines with me.

Wanderer smiles at Ian and tells him not to worry about her and join the game. He seems reluctant to leave her with us, until Jamie joins us.

Jeb takes up conversation with Nate, so I turn to Wanderer. "You don't like soccer?" I ask.

She smiles embarrasses. "This body isn't built for exercise."

I nod and look over to Melanie who has taken the ball. She seems to be enjoying herself.

"Do you miss it?" I ask curiously. Now knowing she once had Melanie's body, I would understand if she did. Melanie does seem more athletic, stronger, faster.

Wanderer bites her lip. "I miss being strong, but... I don't want Mel's body again. It belongs to her. It's not right that I had it."

Next to her, Jamie takes her hand. "It's okay, Wanda. Don't feel sad."

"I know, Jamie," Wanda smiles and she hugs him.

Jamie looks at me. "Will you tell me about Fire World Burns? I've heard about all the other planets, but Wanda hasn't been to that one."

"Uhm sure," I say. I glance at Wanderer but she smiles encouraging. So I tell them about the Lava Fields where I liked to sunbathe after a meal, the Ash Planes where you could get rid of parasites, swimming in the volcano river. I answer all his questions though he can't seem to get enough of it. When there's nothing more to tell about Fire World, he asks about Emma.

"Did she like you right away?"

"No," I say with a sad mile, "she was very afraid of me. She thought I was going to give her to the Seekers."

"Why didn't you?" Jamie asks.

I sigh. "I don't know. I had never met a real human before. I was curious. And she looked so frightened. I wanted to protect her."

Jamie smiles. "Like Wanda did with me and Jared."

I think for a moment. "I suppose so," I say.

"So when did she start to like you?" Jamie asks.

I look at my hands. "She says it was when Sky shared her body," I whisper, "she tried to tell me, but it took time before I realized she was still there. And I knew I wanted her back. I needed her back."

"What is she like?" Wanderer asks.

I smile. "She's kind. And strong. And brave. She gets shy sometimes and sad, but she's beautiful. And she draws the most beautiful pictures. She's a real artist." I look at Wanderer. "She painted some pretty good pictures of the Mist Planet too, and Fire World, and the Dragon World."

Wanderer's eyes go wide. "Really? I would love to see those."

"Maybe you can." Ian has abandoned the game and drops down next to us. He easily omits Jamie who is still holding Wanderer's hand, and sits down next to her while Jamie makes room for him.

"Ian!" Wanderer smiles, "are you not playing anymore?"

"We're having a break," Ian points at the others who have split up into smaller groups. Someone has gone and got drinks and snacks. I smile when I see my friends mingled with the group. It's good that they're not left out.

"I'll go get us some snacks," Jamie offers, but Ian shakes his head.

"No need. Your sister and Jared are already on their way."

True enough, Jared and Melanie are walking our way with snacks and water bottles in their hands. Blake's walking with them.

They sit down with us and Blake hands me a bottle and a granola bar. "What were you guys talking about?" he asks.

"Emma," I smile.

Blake chuckles. "Of course. Why did I ask?"

Wanderer smiles. "I was just saying I'd love to see Emma's pictures."

"Jeb and Nate have been talking," Jared says, "about a few of us going over to them to introduce ourselves. Mel and I volunteered." He smiles. "We figured you'd want to come, since they're already used to having a Soul around, Ian already signed you up."

"Can I come too?" Jamie begs. When the four of them exchange glances, Jamie crosses his arms. "Stop treating me as a child. I've been on a raid before and I went with you to get Wanda a body. This isn't even a raid. I'll be perfectly safe." When Jared opens his mouth, Jamie has another argument ready. "I wanna meet Emma too."

Jared sighs and Jamie grins. "You're going to listen to us," Jared says, "this may not be a raid, we'll still need to help them replace the supplies they gave us, and we're still out there, so there is a risk."

"Thank you Jared!" Jamie cheers, "you hear that, Wanda? We're going to visit the other group!"

Blake chuckles and looks at me. "Nate and Rob are going with two of their guys to get a new tire for our car. Once we have it fixed, we're headed home. Probably tomorrow."

I nod. "So, we're spending the night here?"

"Yup," Blake says, "they're short on space, but we can use this room. And Jeb said we can take some of the corn they're growing. They just harvested."

"Thank you," I say while looking at Jared and the others.

"Sure thing," Jared nods, "let's get you settled."