The Invasion (27 page)

“I can’t believe that,” Rachel said. “No person would ever
let
this happen to them. No one would ever give up control of himself.”

“Some people are scum, Rachel,” Marco said. “Sorry to burst your balloon.”

The Yeerks convince them that taking on a Yeerk will solve all their problems. I think that’s what The Sharing is all about. People believe that by becoming something different, they can leave behind all their pain.

“Like spending all their time as a hawk,” Marco pointed out.

Tobias had nothing to say to that. He spread his wings and flew up and away.

“Tobias! Come back,” I called to him.

“We have to get moving,” Rachel said. “We’ve been standing here staring for too long.” She looked at Marco. “Don’t be a jerk to Tobias, okay? We need everyone.”

Tobias came swooping back toward us.
Cassie,
he said.
She’s on the pier. The infestation pier. They’re going to turn her into a host.

With my normal human eyes I couldn’t see that well in the purple gloom. I could just make out the cop’s uniform and the small shape beside him.

“Do you see Tom?” I asked Tobias.

In answer he flapped his powerful wings and gained altitude. I saw him high over the pool. Then he came back toward us in a power dive.

I see him,
he said.

I hesitated before asking. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. “Is he in the cages? Or is he … voluntary?”

He’s in a cage,
Tobias said.
He’s yelling his brains out at the Hork-Bajir guards.

“Yes!” I knew Tom would never have gone voluntarily. I knew they must have taken him kicking and punching.

Cassie is getting near the end of the pier,
Tobias warned.
We only have a few minutes before they infest her!