“He’s going to finish out the prophecy,” I say grimly. “He’s going to recreate the ritual.”

“I had no idea Hemslock was an unhinged loon,” Hawaiian Shirt says shakily. “What the hell was he going on about? What entrapment scheme with Gail?”

“He’s on a psychotic break.” Gries glances back at the mess hall. “He’s so convinced he’s done nothing wrong, nothing to anger the god that accusing us of a hoax is the only way he can explain his ex’s presence on the island.”

“What do we do, sir?” Straw Hat asks worriedly.

A shot rings across the clearing.

“Shit,” Leo says, already running. Chase and I sprint to keep pace beside him. The others do not follow.

We reach the mess hall at the same time. Inside, Hemslock and his bodyguards are cornering Armani in the kitchen.

None of them see us, and instinct tells me not to announce our entrance. I conceal myself behind the door, tugging Chase to my side. Gries quietly follows my lead.

Armani looks possessed—naked again, and even more emaciated, though scarcely a few hours has passed. He’s holding a knife that is covered in as much blood as the rest of him.

One of his eyelids hangs strangely.

Armani does not act like he’s in pain. In fact, he’s smiling from ear to ear.

The soldiers surrounding Armani look disgusted. Their firearms are trained on him, though there is already a bullet hole in the wall behind the man.

“Steve,” Hemslock says. “What the fuck?”

“I can hear you, Reuben,” Armani says in a calm voice that is stark contrast to his appearance. “I can finally hear you. I can still hear them. They live inside me now. They are one with me, and I am one with them. Soon, you all will be one with them, too.”

“I’m almost tempted to shoot you here and now,” Hemslock snaps. “I’m choosing not to in honor of our old partnership. Come quietly with us. You’ll get the treatment you need.”

“I’m already cured,” comes the chilling whisper. “We are alike, Reuben, you and I—always thinking we know better than everyone else. We are all asleep. We are all dreaming. But He will wake. There is no meaning in this life but Him. There is no meaning until He has awoken. Then we will be saved. See. Look.” He lifts his fist, and slowly opens his hand for us to see what lies in his palm.

With horror, I see a bloody eyeball. His bloody eyeball. He’s removed it from his own head.

“I no longer require my eyes to see,” he whispers. “We will need nothing else. You are close, Reuben. Already I can see the signs around you. You will understand soon: His love for you. His love for all of us. I do not need eyes to see. You do not need eyes to see. Let me show you. Let me show—”

He steps toward Hemslock, his knife raised.

Hemslock puts at least five bullets into his former friend. I lose count with the hail of bullets that follow from the other soldiers.