@@@@@Of course there was a swing set, too, and
@@@@@Of course there was a swing set, too, and that was the only equipment being
used currently
A little family was taking advantage of the cooler evening airThe father had some silver in his
dark hair at the temples; the mother looked many years his juniorHer red brown hair was pulled
back in a long ponytail that bobbed when she movedThey had a little boy, no more than a year
oldThe father pushed the child in the swing from behind, while the mother stood in front,
leaning in to kiss his forehead when he swung her way, making him giggle so hard that his
chubby little face was bright redThis had her laughing, too–I could see her body shake with it,
her hair dancing
“What are you staring at, Wanda?”
Jared's question wasn't anxious, because I was smiling softly at the surprising scene
“Something I've never seen in all my livesI'm staring at… hope
Jared came to stand behind me, peeking out over my shoulder“What do you mean?” His eyes
swept across the buildings and the road, not pausing on the playing family
I caught his chin and pointed his face in the right directionHe didn't so much as flinch at my
unexpected touch, and that gave me a strange jolt of warmth in the pit of my stomach
“What am I looking at?”
“The only hope for survival I've ever seen for a host species
“Where?” he demanded, bewildered
I was aware of Ian close behind us now, listening silently
“See?” I pointed at the laughing mother“See how she loves her human child?”
At that moment, the woman snatched her son from the swing and squeezed him in a tight
embrace, covering his face with kissesHe cooed and flailed–just a babyNot the miniature
adult he would have been if he carried one of my kind“The baby ishuman? How? Why? For how long?”
I shrugged“I've never seen this before–I don't knowShe has not given him up for a hostI
can't imagine that she would be… fo