Chapter 6: The Devoted and the Damned

“Mara, we can’t save him anymore.”

His words landed like a blow.

As soon as Jace finished, the ability holder’s head exploded like fireworks, and the twisted worm burrowed into the hole.

Blood sprayed, bits of bone and brain splattering the ground. The worm disappeared into the corpse. The sound was sickening.

His eyes went dull, and he stood up like a puppet.

The corpse moved with jerky, unnatural motions. The room was silent, everyone frozen.

I stared blankly, unable to speak for a moment.

My mind whirled, but my body wouldn’t move. The world felt unreal.

The kitten had appeared at my feet, making a strange sound only I could understand.

Its voice was a low, guttural rumble, vibrating in my bones.

“Humans really are cold-blooded creatures,” the kitten said.

Its words echoed in my mind, more felt than heard.

I lowered my head, weakly kneeling on the ground, hair falling over my face.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them away. I couldn’t afford to break now.

“Your saint act will only hurt us all.” Lila shook off my hand and strode toward Jace.

Her words were a slap, stinging and sharp. I watched her go, my heart pounding.

Saint? This was the first time someone had called me that.

The word tasted strange in my mouth, bitter and sweet.

The kitten licked my hand, its emerald eyes gazing up at me in confusion.

Its tongue was rough, its gaze unblinking. I felt oddly comforted.

I smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly, and used my fingernail to scratch my fingertip. A drop of blood welled up, red and bright.

The pain was sharp, grounding. I watched the blood bead up, bright against my skin.

In an instant, the worm seemed to sense something and turned its body to look at me.

Its golden eyes glowed, locking onto mine. I felt a jolt of recognition—something ancient and hungry.

Amber pupils burned in the dark. The worm stared at my golden eyes for a long time.

A silent conversation passed between us, too fast for words.

I instinctively hugged the kitten, as if to protect it, holding it close.

Its purr rumbled against my chest, a living heartbeat in the darkness.

On the other side, Lila approached the three and explained,

“This monster is parasitic. If you can’t attack the main body, you can’t kill it.”

Her voice was low, urgent. She drew diagrams in the dirt with her boot, explaining her plan.

“How do you know?” Jace eyed Lila with suspicion.

He narrowed his gaze, arms crossed. He didn’t trust her, not yet.

Sure enough, Jace was the most troublesome character, Lila thought, but couldn’t help watching him.

She bit her lip, eyes lingering on his face. There was something hungry in her gaze. Something that made me shiver.

Jace was her favorite character—and the main male lead.

She knew everything about this world, because this world was a forum novel.

And she, Lila, was a true transmigrator.

Jace, Cal, and Everett were all male leads in this forum novel.

This world was an apocalypse forum novel. In Lila’s original world, it was a hit novel, later adapted into a dating sim and an anime series.

She’d read every chapter, played every route. She knew every secret, every twist.

The protagonist Mara and the three male leads were among the first researched ability holders, who escaped the lab when the apocalypse began.

Mara was kind at heart, loving everyone equally—a saint. She saved the equally wounded Jace and the others.

During their time together, Mara’s kindness moved everyone, making the male leads fall in love with her.

But her "excessive kindness" brought the male leads much suffering.

They were forced to make hard choices, to watch Mara risk her life for strangers. It broke them, little by little.

In the end, Mara and the male leads saved the world and lived happily together.

A fairytale ending, neat and tidy. Lila always thought it was a cop-out.

In Lila’s eyes, Mara was a foolish saint.

She was obsessive, always caring for the weak and pitiful, taking them in at all costs.

But in the apocalypse, being a saint is a sin.

Mercy gets you killed. Lila had learned that the hard way.

If she weren’t the protagonist, she probably wouldn’t survive.

The world chews up people like Mara and spits them out. Only the ruthless survive.

Lila had a car accident in her previous world. When she woke up, she was here.

She remembered the screech of tires, the crunch of metal. Then—darkness. And then this world.

In the novel, Lila abandoned her wounded companion and was later saved by Mara. Because she hid her ability, and her abandoned companion was also saved by Mara, the main group saw her true nature and she was eventually killed by monsters.

It was a brutal end, but Lila had always thought she deserved better.

But Lila believed that in the apocalypse, you had to be calm and rational—like her.

She prided herself on her logic, her ability to make the hard choices.

One word: ruthless.

For someone as emotional as Mara to survive this long was simply incredible.

It defied logic. Lila was determined to prove the story wrong.

Now that she had transmigrated, this world was real. She wanted to prove that in the apocalypse, the saint must die.

She would rewrite the story, make it her own.

The ones who survive to the end must be rational people like her.

According to the plot, at this point, only Jace truly loved Mara; the others just had some goodwill toward her.

So as long as she could win their complete trust, Mara would be powerless.

She would take everything Mara had, piece by piece.

Bit by bit.

Because Mara was just a parasitic flower, dependent on men.

Lila’s lips curled in a sneer. She would show them all.

“Because I can foresee the future,” Lila said, winking playfully at Jace.

Her voice was bright, teasing. She made it sound like a joke, but no one laughed.

Jace frowned, but said nothing.

He looked away, jaw clenched. The air between them was taut, humming with distrust.

“To lure out the main body, Everett, we need your ability.” Lila lowered her voice and whispered something to the three.

She drew them close, her voice barely above a whisper. I strained to hear, but caught only fragments.

After a moment, Everett looked impressed.

He nodded, a rare smile tugging at his lips. Lila had won him over.

Everett always liked rational and intelligent people, Lila thought.

She watched him, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

Jace glanced at Lila gloomily. Although he was very displeased with her, her plan was good.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing. He would follow her lead, for now.

“If you want to doubt me, wait until after the fight. For now, we need to work together.”

Lila lightly punched Jace’s chest.

He stiffened, but didn’t pull away. Lila grinned, triumphant.

In the night, Jace’s gaze shifted slightly.

He looked at me, then away. I wondered what he saw.

I stood not far away, calmly watching, hiding my wounded finger behind my back.

My face was a mask, serene and unreadable. No one saw the blood trickling down my palm.

The worm finally started to move. The zombie’s limbs jerked as it rushed toward Lila and the others.

Its movements were jerky, puppet-like. The air hummed with danger.

Everett drew his sword and stabbed the zombie.

The blade slid in clean, but there was no blood. The zombie barely reacted.

The worm, buried deep in the brain, suddenly burst out and lunged at Everett’s hand.

It moved fast, too fast to follow. Everett didn’t even blink.

But it missed.

His hand passed through the worm like smoke. The worm landed on the ground, confused.

That was Everett’s ability—an illusion.

He could make you see whatever he wanted. The worm never stood a chance.

Taking advantage of the opening, Cal threw a seed, which quickly sprouted vines to bind the worm tightly.

The vines wrapped around the worm, squeezing until it writhed in agony.

At Lila’s signal, Jace cut his palm, and blood flowed along the vines to the worm, turning into black flames that burned it to ash.

The flames were silent, consuming. The worm shrieked, then was gone.

The worm gradually turned to dust, blown away by the wind. The corpse fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.

The silence that followed was heavy, almost reverent. I shivered, feeling the weight of death settle over us.

So pitiful.

I walked to the corpse, and while no one was looking, smeared a drop of my blood on his wound.

The blood sizzled, disappearing into the flesh. I whispered a prayer, though I knew no one was listening.

Picking up the kitten at my feet, I left without looking back.

Its fur was warm against my skin. I felt its heart beating, fast and frantic.

No one noticed the corpse’s fingers twitch slightly.

A small movement, almost imperceptible. But I saw it, and I smiled.

After this battle, Lila quickly became one of the core fighters in the safe zone.

People whispered her name, looked to her for answers. She basked in the attention.

Not only could she foresee the future, but her strength was formidable—she could outfight Cal, outthink Everett, and carry supplies twice her size. People admired her, envied her.

She was bright and clever, and everyone quickly liked her.

She told jokes at dinner, fixed the generator, organized the storeroom. She was everywhere, all at once.

Even Jace, who’d been wary of her at first, started to trust her.

I watched them laugh together, a strange ache blooming in my chest.

But she seemed to really dislike me, treating me as a thorn in her side.

Her smiles faded when I entered the room. Her words grew sharper, her eyes colder.

She suggested to the others that I shouldn’t go out, that I should just stay in the safe zone and take care of the old folks, the broken, the ones I’d dragged back from the edge.

She said it was for my own safety, but I knew better. She wanted me out of the way.

Lila’s ability made her shine wherever she went.

She was a natural leader. People followed her without question.

She could always bring back something important.

Medicine, food, information—she had a knack for finding what we needed most.

But being stuck inside was torture.

I felt like a caged bird, wings clipped. I longed for the open sky.

I really wanted to go out and find other people.

There were still survivors out there, people who needed saving. I couldn’t just sit and wait.

I sighed deeply, and the one-eyed little girl next to me snuggled into my arms like a puppy.

Her hair was soft, her body warm. I stroked her back, comforted by the contact.

The one-eyed little girl—no, actually a little boy. His name was Jamie. Because he was always on the run, his hair was long and messy, and he was so slender and pretty that he was often mistaken for a girl.

He blushed when people called him "she," but never corrected them. I wondered if he liked the ambiguity.

Jamie seemed to sense my mood. He tugged at my clothes and handed me a piece of candy.

It was wrapped in faded paper, probably pilfered from the supply closet. He pressed it into my palm, shy and hopeful.

“Miss Mara, have some candy.” He’d stolen it from the storeroom at night and saved it just for me.

His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. I smiled, touched by the gesture.

I put the candy in my mouth. The sweet and sour taste tingled on my tongue.

It tasted like childhood, like summers before the world ended.

“Thank you, Jamie.” I patted his head. Jamie nodded and buried his head in my arms.

He was trembling, just a little. I stroked his hair, humming a lullaby.

As I gently stroked the back of his neck, I couldn’t help but notice how bare it looked.

A collar would look so cute on him, I thought, the idea making me smile.

Ah, I really want to put a collar on him.

I really want to dress him up again.

Maybe find him a new shirt, a pair of jeans that fit. I made a mental note to look for clothes next time I went out.

I looked at Jamie with loving eyes, my fingers growing gentler.

He sighed, relaxing into my touch. I felt a surge of protectiveness, fierce and wild.

“So annoying.” The kitten appeared at my side, making a strange sound.

It glared at Jamie, tail twitching. I laughed, scratching its chin.

I half-closed my eyes and hummed a tune, letting the rhythm soothe me. The world faded away, just for a moment.

The kitten licked its fur and leapt into the darkness, melting into the shadows like water.

I watched it go, feeling a pang of loneliness. I wondered where it went when I wasn’t looking.

Jamie rested his head on my knee and gradually fell asleep to my singing.

His breathing slowed, his body going limp. I tucked a blanket around him, careful not to wake him.

I took out a small knife and gently cut my finger. The blade was sharp, the pain bright and brief.

I smeared a drop of blood into Jamie’s empty right eye.

The blood glistened, soaking into his skin. I whispered a blessing, though I knew it was just for show.

So pitiful. Soon you’ll have happiness.

I brushed his hair from his face, smiling softly. He would be safe, as long as he stayed with me.

Jamie woke up again lying beside his mother.

The cot creaked beneath him. Sunlight streamed through the broken window, dust motes swirling in the air.

His mother had lost both legs to save him from monsters.

She was thin, her face lined with worry. She smiled when she saw him awake.

Though he lost an eye, at least he survived.

He touched the bandage over his right eye, surprised to find it dry.

Thanks to me—otherwise, he and his mother could not have survived the apocalypse.

He remembered my voice, my touch. He felt safe with me, safer than he’d ever felt before.

“Miss Mara brought you back. Miss Mara is so good,” his mother said as she changed the bandage on his right eye.

Her hands were gentle, practiced. She hummed under her breath, a tune Jamie didn’t recognize.

Suddenly, a strange feeling welled up in his heart.

He couldn’t name it—gratitude, maybe, or something deeper.

His mother carefully removed the bandage, then gasped in surprise.

Her hand flew to her mouth. Jamie blinked, confused.

As the bandage came off, dazzling sunlight shone in.

The light was blinding, sharp as a knife. Jamie winced, covering his eye.

“Ah...” Jamie covered his right eye, dazed. Having not seen sunlight for so long, his right eye squeezed shut.

His vision swam, colors blooming behind his eyelids.

His right eye—had grown back?

He touched it, disbelieving. It felt real, solid beneath his fingers.

“How is this possible...” Jamie muttered in disbelief. He looked at his mother, who covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock.

Her eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Jamie... your eye...”

Jamie slowly opened his right eye, and suddenly realized something.

The world looked different—sharper, brighter. He could see things he’d never seen before.

He saw shadows flickering at the edges of his vision. He blinked, trying to make sense of it.

“I want to go out and get something.”

My voice cut through the conversation between Lila and the three men. They turned, eyes wary.

Their faces were closed, unreadable. I felt like a stranger in my own home.

Their gazes were full of strange emotion—suspicion, annoyance, even pity. I could read it in their tight mouths and averted eyes.

“Is there nothing you want in the storeroom?” Cal replied patiently, but his tone was clipped, his eyes impatient.

He drummed his fingers on the table, glancing at Lila. He was taking her side now.

He never looked at me like that before.

Once, he would have done anything I asked. Now, I was just another problem to solve.

I tilted my head, feigning confusion, but Lila just sneered at me.

She didn’t bother to hide her disdain. I smiled back, sweet as honey.

“No, I want to go find it myself. I can go alone.”

I kept my voice light, almost playful. I wouldn’t let them see how much it hurt.

Jace stepped forward, grabbing my shoulders. His black eyes looked so unfamiliar now.

His grip was tight, almost painful. He searched my face, looking for something he’d lost. I wondered what he saw.

“It’s too dangerous for you to go out alone. Tell me what you want—I’ll get it for you.”

His words were gentle, but I heard the steel beneath them. He didn’t trust me anymore.

“Jace, don’t you trust me?” I looked at him calmly, only feeling bored.

His mouth opened, then closed. He looked away, ashamed.

Jace was flustered by my gaze.

He shuffled his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked suddenly younger, lost.

“It’s fine, let her go. I’ll go with her.” Lila patted Jace’s shoulder, her voice bright and commanding.

She took charge, all confidence. Jace nodded, defeated.

Lila took me out of the safe zone, trailing behind me in silence.

The gate creaked shut behind us. The world outside was silent, heavy with smoke and dust.

I hummed softly, savoring the taste of fresh air and freedom.

The sky was gray, the sun a pale smear behind the clouds. I spun in a slow circle, arms outstretched, letting the wind whip my hair.

On the bloody, chaotic streets, I looked so out of place in my white dress.

The fabric fluttered around my knees, spotless despite the dirt. I liked the way it made me stand out.

“Don’t you think you’re too naive?”

Lila’s voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. She stepped closer, eyes blazing.

I turned and met her beautiful, dark eyes.

They were deep as a well. I saw anger, envy, and—yes—fear. It flickered there for just a second.

“What are you talking about?” I tilted my head, not understanding.

I widened my eyes, feigning innocence. It always worked on men, but Lila was different.

“Are you really stupid, or just pretending?” Lila came closer, her rough fingers gripping my neck.

Her nails dug into my skin. I didn’t flinch, just smiled up at her, daring her to do more.

I smiled at her, saying nothing.

My silence infuriated her. I saw it in the way her jaw clenched.

“It’s the apocalypse—can you stop being so naive? Those old, weak, sick, and broken people you bring back are useless. They just eat our food and give nothing in return.”

Her words were harsh, but beneath them I heard fear—a fear of scarcity, of loss, of being wrong.

Lila’s anger had clearly been building, her grip tightening unconsciously.

Her knuckles whitened, breath coming fast. I waited, patient as ever.

“Must everything be about usefulness? Who decides if someone has value?” I asked, voice steady.

My tone was soft, but the words were steel.

Lila’s face darkened. For a moment, she had no answer.

She looked away, lips pressed thin. I almost pitied her.

“They’re all burdens. They can’t help. In the apocalypse, as long as you live well, that’s enough.”

She said it like a mantra, trying to convince herself as much as me.

“But even without their help, our food and supplies are enough to support them.”

I met her gaze, unblinking. I wouldn’t back down.

Her hand on my neck trembled. Even Lila seemed confused, her confidence flickering.

She loosened her grip, just a little. Doubt flickered in her eyes.

“But... if you keep saving them, food will run out eventually.”

Her voice was small, almost pleading. I almost felt sorry for her.

I tugged at my collar and looked Lila in the eye.

My fingers brushed her hand, gentle but firm. I wanted her to see me, really see me.

“Then tell me, what should I do? What is justice?”

I stepped closer, raising my head to meet her gaze, eyes burning.

My breath mingled with hers. The world narrowed to just the two of us.

“We have no obligation to save them. As long as we’re happy, that’s enough.”

Her words were hollow, echoing in the empty street.

“Is that so? That’s your belief.”

I closed my eyes, letting the wind wash over me.

The breeze was cool, carrying the scent of blood and smoke.

Suddenly, I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach, unable to stop.

The sound was wild, unhinged. I saw fear flicker in Lila’s eyes. She took a step back.

So naive. So foolish.

I wiped a tear from my eye, still grinning. “You really believe that, don’t you?”

Who’s really the naive one?

I let the silence stretch, savoring her discomfort.

“Remember what you said today. Don’t regret it.”

My voice was low, almost a whisper. I saw her shiver.

Maybe she’d never seen me like this—Lila was startled, stepping back in shock.

She stumbled, eyes wide. I took a step forward, closing the distance.

I stopped laughing and returned to my usual gentle self.

I straightened my dress, smoothing my hair. My smile was sweet, innocent.

I took a few steps forward and held Lila’s cold hand.

Her skin was clammy, her pulse racing. I squeezed, just a little too tight.

“Let’s go.”

I tugged her forward, leading the way back to the safe zone.

Her hand trembled, and the fear in her eyes settled in my heart.

I savored it, tucking it away for later.

Ah, indeed...

Humans are cutest when they’re like this.

Frightened, vulnerable, desperate. That’s when they’re most real.

I brought back what I wanted. Unlike my happiness, Lila seemed suspicious.

She watched me, eyes narrowed, lips pressed tight.

Jace was waiting at the door. The moment he saw Lila, his eyes lit up.

He ran to her, worry etched into every line of his face. He barely glanced at me.

“You’re back. Nothing dangerous happened?”

His voice was soft, concerned. I felt invisible.

Lila shook her head, looking a bit pale.

She leaned into him, letting him fuss over her. I watched, amused.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” Jace asked, concern in his voice, gently grabbing her shoulder and scanning her for injuries.

He checked her over, hands lingering. I felt a flicker of amusement.

Ignored, I tilted my head and slipped past them.

I moved quietly, my dress whispering against the floor. No one noticed.

As I brushed past Lila, I whispered, “How pitiful.”

My voice was soft, mocking. I saw her stiffen, anger flashing in her eyes.

Lila suddenly looked up, staring hard at my back.

I didn’t turn around. I just kept walking, my smile growing wider.

I looked back and smiled at her, my eyes full of undisguised pity.

She flinched, looking away. I felt a surge of satisfaction.

Jamie stood quietly in the corridor corner. He lifted the bandage on his right eye and opened that strangely colored eye wide.

The light caught the edge of the bandage, casting strange shadows on the wall.

“I knew it—I can see it.” He stared calmly at Cal in the field.

His gaze was steady, unblinking. I watched from the shadows, curious.

In his right eye, Cal was a strange tree, its trunk covered in twisted vines, its branches heavy with rotten fruit—each one crawling with insect eggs.

The sight made Jamie’s stomach turn. He gagged, covering his mouth.

The tree was massive, its roots spreading across the ground, sucking up all the nutrients nearby.

He saw the roots burrow deep, draining the life from everything they touched.

“So gross.” Jamie gagged.

He stumbled back, pressing a hand to his mouth. No one else seemed to notice.

Ever since his right eye mysteriously grew back, he could see strange things.

Shadows, shapes, monsters hiding in plain sight. He wondered if he was going crazy.

Strangely, ordinary people looked normal, but whenever he looked at the ability holders, they all appeared as different kinds of monsters.

He tried not to stare, but it was hard to look away. The world was full of horrors now.

What exactly was this eye seeing?

He had no answers, only more confusion.

Jamie didn’t understand.

He sat on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, rocking gently.

“Jamie, there you are.” A familiar voice called out. In his panic, Jamie dropped the bandage.

He scrambled to pick it up, heart racing. He couldn’t let anyone see his eye.

He couldn’t let anyone see his right eye, or they’d treat him like a monster. He remembered stories—people who were different never lasted long.

Jamie quickly covered his eye with his hand and bent to pick up the bandage.

His fingers fumbled, the bandage slipping through his grasp.

“Jamie, what’s wrong?”

I bent down and approached Jamie’s face.

My voice was gentle, soothing. I reached out, brushing his hair from his eyes.

He seemed flustered, but calmed down as soon as he saw me.

He relaxed, shoulders dropping. I smiled, encouraging him.

“Miss Mara...” Jamie stared at me, hesitating.

His voice was shaky, uncertain. I waited, patient as ever.

I picked up the bandage for him, ready to help him put it back on.

My hands were steady, practiced. I wrapped the bandage with care, fingers sure.

“Miss Mara, I have something to tell you.” As if making up his mind, Jamie slowly lowered his hand, revealing that strangely colored eye.

The light caught the strange color, making it gleam like gold. I leaned in, studying it.

“Yesterday, my right eye suddenly grew back.”

He sounded scared, but also a little proud. I smiled, nodding.

Jamie opened his right eye and looked at me.

He froze, eyes wide. For a moment, I saw fear, awe, something deeper. Something hungry.

Jamie froze, as if he’d seen something unbelievable, mouth agape, staring at me for a long time.

I gently stroked his cheek, unconcerned by his reaction.

My touch was light, comforting. I wanted him to feel safe.

“Jamie, you’ve awakened an ability.” I carefully wrapped the bandage around his eye. “Sometimes ability holders awaken suddenly, so your right eye grew back.”

My voice was calm, matter-of-fact. I didn’t want him to be afraid.

Jamie nodded blankly, thoughtfully studying my face.

He seemed to be searching for something, but I didn’t know what.

“Jamie,” I called softly, hugging him, “don’t be afraid. I’ll always protect you.”

I held him close, rocking gently. He relaxed, melting into my embrace.

Jamie buried his head in my arms, and my fingers caressed the back of his neck.

His hair was soft, his skin warm. I tied a black ribbon around his neck.

“A gift for you. And here are clean clothes. Let’s go change.”

I handed him a shirt and jeans, freshly laundered. He smiled, shy and grateful.

Jamie nodded and took my hand.

His grip was small, but strong. I led him to the bathroom, humming softly.

He changed into clean clothes, and I tidied up his messy hair.

I combed out the tangles, snipping away the worst of it. He looked up at me, eyes shining.

With careful grooming, Jamie looked much more handsome.

He blushed, ducking his head. I smiled, proud of my handiwork.

Now, he finally looked like a boy.

His jaw was sharper, his eyes brighter. I wondered if anyone else would notice.

After dressing him up, I planned to distribute the remaining clothes to the other wounded.

I sorted the pile, folding each shirt with care. The room smelled of soap and sunlight.

The sunlight today was dazzling. I waved my hand to block the sun, and from the shadow at my feet, the kitten jumped out.

It landed gracefully, tail flicking. In its mouth was a severed finger, which it swallowed in one gulp.

The kitten held a finger in its mouth and instantly swallowed it.

I laughed, bending down to scratch its ears. It purred, eyes half-closed.

I bent down to pet the kitten’s head. Its tentacles brushed against my fingertips, cool and slick. I shivered, but didn’t pull away.

After I left, Jamie recalled what he’d just seen.

He sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The world felt different now.

In his right eye, Mara looked unchanged.

She was still soft, gentle, kind. But behind her, shadows writhed.

She wasn’t a monster, but he could clearly see all kinds of monster shadows behind her, almost filling the corridor.

They moved when she moved, silent and watchful. Jamie felt a chill run down his spine.

And strangest of all, a strange white light radiated from Mara, making her look especially holy.

It was blinding, pure. The monsters seemed to bow before it.

Whenever Mara moved, the monster shadows behind her moved too. The only thing he was sure of was—

They obeyed her, followed her. Jamie wondered what that meant.

In his eyes, Mara was as sacred as a god.

He didn’t know whether to be afraid or in awe.

What was this? Was Mara a god? But if she was a god, why did so many monsters follow her?

He had no answers, only more confusion.

No matter what, Jamie would never doubt Mara.

She had saved him, given him hope. He would follow her anywhere.

Mara was their savior. To him, she was a god.

A dark god, maybe, but a god all the same.

Even if Mara was an evil god, he would follow her forever.

His devotion was absolute, unshakeable.

Thinking this, Jamie removed the bandage from his right eye.

The air felt colder, sharper. He stared at his reflection in the cracked mirror.

He opened his right eye and happened to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

What he saw made his blood run cold.

Jamie was so startled that he fell to the ground, his right eye fixed on the mirror.

He scrambled back, heart pounding. His breath came in short, sharp gasps. He couldn’t look away.

In the mirror, his body was covered with eyes—on his arms, the backs of his hands, his face... all densely packed with eyes of every size.

They blinked in unison, following his every move. It was grotesque, mesmerizing.

As his right pupil moved, the eyes on his body moved too.

He raised his hand, watching the eyes follow. He felt both powerful and terrified. The sensation thrilled him.

A hallucination? But the reflection looked so real.

He pinched his arm, but the vision didn’t fade. The eyes stared back, unblinking. His skin crawled.

Such a real monster.

He smiled, a wild, unhinged grin. He liked it.

Crash. Jamie smashed the mirror. In the shards on the floor, his current expression was reflected.

Tiny fragments showed dozens of eyes, all smiling, all alive.

It was joy.

Uncontrollable joy.

He laughed, the sound echoing through the empty halls, bright and wild as the dawn.