Between the voices in the fog and the fighting bodies, I couldn’t tell what wasrealand what was in my head.
I screamed into someone’s bloody face; they screamed back.
A boy kicked me, and my forearm cracked.
I barely noticed. I was used to violence, but not likethis. The adrenaline had me sprinting as fast as I could when I shouldn’t have been able to stand.
Nyx’s invisible scales slithered against my neck as she lunged in every direction.
Hands held me down—they fell away, convulsing.
I backed away through the fog, trying to put distance between myself and the fighting.
I bumped into something and jumped.
Whirled around.
“No. No. No.” A boy in tattered black robes sobbed into his hands and didn’t move. Somehow, he hadn’t felt me knock against him. “I didn’t mean to. I swear... I didn’t mean to.”
He was on his knees, all alone.
Tiny black horns protruded off his head.
He’s a creature.
The black fog writhed around him like it was attacking him.
“No, I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry!” he choked, and lightning illuminated his distraught features. “I’m so sorry. I lied—I meant to do it!”
He punched himself in the head.
Thunder rolled.
Dark music played.
Blood splattered across the sand as he pummeled himself to death with his own fists. His horns landed in the sand.
“Oh dear,” Nyx whispered.
Turning, I ran but slipped.
I caught myself with my hands in the deep puddle. Pain streaked down my arm. When I got back to my feet, my arms—fingertips to elbow—were coated in red.
Thick raindrops splattered across it.
I stared down at the puddle of viscous blood I’d fallen into. Teeth chattering, I spat sand out of my mouth. Shaking with horror. Gasping as I struggled to inhale.
I can’t breathe.
“I’m so sorry,” Nyx said despondently. “If I’d known, kid... I would have prepared you.”
I stared dumbly at my trembling hands.
“In my experience, those with power suffer for having it,” Nyx whispered.
Screaming fog wrapped around my legs. I slammed the edge of my palm against the side of my head to make the noises stop.
They didn’t.
