Chapter Text
She wouldn't talk to him. She wouldn't even look at him. She'd eat and get up to stretch, but she wouldn't say anything to him, or anyone else who passed through. And once she left the infirmary, she refused to leave his side, albeit she said not a word.
He didn't want her to hate him. That was the one thing he'd always disliked about being a Comforter: he got attached to those he was helping. He disliked the strong emotions that came with this host. He'd rather be a Bat, or a Spider. At least then he wouldn't feel so dejected.
Melanie certainly wasn't helping things. Granted it was her personality to be outgoing and a bit bossy at times, but it was obviously putting her off. He was about to argue with Jeb to put himself in as her "watch dog" until she got completely settled, but he figured it wasn't any use. Melanie was stronger than he was, in every sense.
"Runs as the Lizard, huh? Kind of a mouthful." Melanie eyed her with a mix of curiosity and distrust.
"It's the only name I have." The girl tensed again, something he noticed she did when she felt threatened. "I like it."
"Never said it was bad," Melanie said with a shrug. "I just don't feel like saying the entire thing every time I want to talk to you."
"What are you saying?" She frowned. "That I change it?"
"No, I'm suggesting we shorten it to a nickname. Makes it easier, you know?"
"No. I don't know."
"It's not completely changing your name," Keeper said quietly from his place in the doorway. "All the Souls here do it."
"See? He gets it." Melanie narrowed her eyes slightly. "Hmm…you're a bit more difficult. I could call you Runs, but that would be needlessly cruel…and the guys would give you grief for that. How about…Lizzie?"
"What's wrong with my full name?"
"Nothing. Just easier to call you Lizzie."
She shook her head. "No. I…no. I refuse to take that name." Her head straightened. "I will be called Runs as the Lizard, despite what you want. It's my name and I like it, and I will not be addressed as any other vulgar slang you may have for me."
"Vulgar? I'm trying to make things easier for you here."
"It would do you well to call me by the name I choose to be called by."
"Would it also do me well to tell you I don't really care?" Melanie's voice rose, her hands clenched.
Runs as the Lizard visibly shrunk back, surprisingly hiding behind Keeper. He blinked in confusion, but didn't ask.
Melanie sighed, pursing her lips. "Listen," she said, her voice softer. "I realize this is all new to you and that you're uncomfortable. But you're going to live here from now on, and the easier you make your existence, the better. So if you don't want my help, then fine. But I've been here a hell of a lot longer than you have, and I'm in charge, so I'll give my two cents whether you like it or not, understand?"
The girl said nothing, a frown on her face.
"You might want to change." Melanie tossed some ratty clothes at her. "All black is going to make you sweat."
The girl studied the rags, clearly debating whether or not she should put them on. "Is there anything cleaner?"
Melanie snorted. "We live in a maze of dirt."
***
She stayed in the holding cell for a few days, Melanie keeping watch over her. Keeper stopped by periodically to check up on her, and every time her cheeks were flushed and streaked with tears. Her "new" clothes were in a corner, her Healer uniform already coated in dust.
"Come to tell me I'm being difficult?" she asked harshly.
"I wanted to see how you're doing." He didn't look at her, toeing the ground with his boot. "I…I lived here my first few days, too. It's only until they find you a room to stay in."
"How did you do it? How are you still alive? Did they bribe you? Threaten to kill you?"
"No…none of that. See, they're trying to cooperate with you, and…you have to do the same. Meet in the middle, you know. They want to help."
"They want to wipe us out, or did you forget?" He could feel her eyes studying him. "How far gone are you, Keeper of the Flame? Have you forgotten who you are? You're a Soul, and we do not live peacefully with humans. They've destroyed this planet, and we've come to protect it."
"They're not all bad," he said, raising his head. "The ones who live here are scared of us. We've taken away their livelihood, and they have to start over here because of us. Don't you think we at least owe it to them to be civil?"
"Civil," she scoffed. "They don't even know what that word means."
"If you'd give them a chance, you'd change your mind."
She looked at him in a way he could only describe as disappointed. "What…what have they done to you?"
Several answers flitted through his mind. He couldn't bring himself to say any of them.