The Invasion (34 page)

“Alive,” I said. “Alive. I guess that’s all that counts.”

Yes. That is all that matters.

“Come on, Tobias,” I said. “Morph back. You can stay here. I’ll even let you have the bed. I could sleep on nails, I’m so tired.”

He didn’t say anything. And I guess in my heart I’d known it all along. I just didn’t want to admit it.

“Come on, Tobias,” I said again. “Morph back.”

Jake …

“Just come on, back to human now, dude. No more flying tonight.”

I hid in the cavern for a while,
he said.
They didn’t see me. But I had to stay out of sight till I could get out. Jake … it took too long. Too long. More than two hours.

I just stared at him. At his laser-focus eyes, at his
wicked beak and sharp talons. And at his wings. At the broad, powerful wings that let him fly.

I guess this is me from now on,
Tobias said.

I knew there were tears falling down my cheeks, but I didn’t care anymore.

It’s okay, Jake. Like you said, we’re alive.

I went to the window and looked up at the stars. Somewhere up there, around one of those cold, twinkling stars, was the Andalite home world. Somewhere up there was … hope.

They’ll come,
Tobias said.
The Andalites will come. And until then …