“Interesting.” The words came from his lips, but Kit wasn’t the one to say them. “Apologies, Kit, but I was unable to think of another way to wake you up.”
Kit wanted to whimper, or cry, or scream, but he could do nothing but watch his eyes widen in the mirror.
“Don’t be alarmed. It’s me, Jack.” Kit’s lips moved, forming the words and speaking them to himself before letting loose a childish titter that felt alien in his mouth.
Jack was…possessing him. Right. Kit had little time to process what that meant before Jack spoke again.
“We need to stop him.”
Him? Lawrence?It was strange to think like this in his own head, but he imagined how his tongue might form the words and tried to project coherently.
“Who else?”
Kit, or rather,Jack,turned around, his movements uncoordinated. It was like his limbs were simultaneously too long and too short.
Aren’t you going to give me back control of my body?
“I worry you might fall asleep again. The sun has not yet set.”
I’m awake, dammit. And given what Lawrence is likely trying to do, I’ll stay that way.
Jack paused in his slow move towards the bedroom door. “I’m not quite sure how to leave your body.”
Fantastic.At least in his head he could still sound sarcastic.Are your brothers here? Are they waking up the guys?
“Unfortunately, they’ve had no luck on that front. For lack of a better way to explain it, there was a door left ajar in your mind that let me slip inside.”
So, it’s just us?
“I’m afraid so.”
Kit tried to project confidence. The oversized T-shirt of Quin’s that Kit wore felt like the flimsiest suit of armour as he prepared to face down his creator once again.We can handle him. Lead the way.
Kit felt the corners of his lips lift in the tiniest of smiles. “I hope so.”
The sight that greeted him upon opening the door was of a sneering Quin, an expression that could only belong to Lawrence. He faced Matthew and Thomas, who flickered in and out of existence in the hallway.
Kit couldn’t see any sign of Xavier’s ring. Not around Quin’s finger, or anywhere on the petrol-sodden floorboards. The stench was overwhelming, making his already addled mind swim.
“Is that you, Christopher?” Lawrence asked.
“Yes?” At Jack’s response, Kit wanted to close his eyes in frustration.
Lawrence cocked his head. “Seems you’re learning new tricks, Jack.”
Jack scowled.
“What’s your plan?” Lawrence asked. “All I need to do is open the shutters, and Christopher’s body will burn.”
Thomas bolted at Lawrence, passing right through him and out the other side.
“Oh, that felt fucking weird,” Lawrence said, and then slapped a hand over his mouth.
Kit’s eyes widened.Quin?
“Quin?” Jack echoed aloud.
Quin’s mouth moved behind his hands. Kit didn’t understand what he said, but there was something in his voice—even muffled—that was distinctly Quin.
