
As Wanderer infiltrates the camp she is accepted and begins to develop her own love affair with Ian O'Shea. Against the wishes of the other humans, Melanie's uncle allows Wanderer to rest and receive care in the human cave. Wanderer soon finds herself near death, lost in the desert.

Unable to emotionally detach herself from the desires of her host, Wanderer sets out to find Jared and the other humans. Melanie bombards Wanderer with emotions and memories of her loved ones, including her lover Jared Howe.


Melanie is eventually invaded by a Soul named Wanderer, but she refuses to fully succumb to this alien intrusion into her body. Melanie Stryder is one of the last free humans alive in a world inhabited by "Souls," an alien race that takes over human bodies, completely erasing the original person.
