And then, with a terrible, flesh-ripping sound, a thick root as long as an anaconda and half as thick, emerges from his back.

Hemslock shows him no mercy and he picks up his flamethrower. The blast knocks Sam’s body backward. A ball of fire surrounds the soldier, and he disappears within the red heat.

The body drops to the ground, still burning, still twitching, but appearing more tree than human.

“Shit,” one of the soldiers growls. “Mask up. They can get into you.”

Hemslock stands over the remains of a fallen tree. “Rise,” he says.

The branches by his feet stir.

“Rise,” Hemslock says again, and he almost has it. The roots shudder. The branches rise, reassembling before him. They’re similar in shape to the woman-like tree creatures that have attacked us, but also completely different. Their forms are much more slender—thin broomstick-like shapes—and unnaturally tall, like they’ve been stretched beyond proportion. Wordlessly, they take their place beside Hemslock.

“How the fuck are you doing this, Hemslock?” Hawaiian Shirt gasps, stepping out of the mess hall.

“I’m doing exactly what Key says it would do—and we called him a fool for it. It’s been right in front of us this whole time. You thought he was a madman, but I knew better.” Hemslock is sweating. Whatever strength he used to summon these monsters is taking its toll on him.

“You’re not going to control the Diwata,” I say, following Hawaiian Shirt. “You’re going to destroy this island and everyone else on it. The Diwata won’t let you leave.”

Hemslock lowers the flamethrower to his side and takes out his gun again. I stand my ground.

He pulls the trigger. There is a faint click.

“You’re lucky I’m out.” He nods at one of the men. Before Gries can move, he’s sucker punched. He slumps, then is hauled up onto one soldier’s shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Chase shouts, but this time it is I who hold him back.

“We’re going to do a little experiment,” Hemslock says. “We both know that Leo is a prime candidate for one of the sacrifices, Alon, and your god thinks the same thing. We’re heading back into the caves and getting what I’m owed, and this time, ol’ Leo here is gonna be our surety. Surety that you’ll be on your best behavior while we’re inside, because we’ll shoot him if you attempt anything. I’d be more inclined to take you too, but I suspect your god’s going to attack us if it thinks I’m going to kill you. I’ll mend fences with your Diwata by presenting it with the final sacrifice we need. So you all be good and quiet, and stay here.”

“You’re seriously going to sacrifice him?” Melissa cries out.

Hemslock smiles. “I’d sacrifice the world if it would get me exactly what I want.”

We can only watch as they drag Leo into the cave, the tree creatures Hemslock controls barricading the entrance with thick roots to keep us from rescuing him.