Zander's POV
The silver light pouring from my hands was killing Jake, and I couldn't stop it.
I strained against the Hunger's control, watching my best friend's life drain away while my body refused to follow me. The cosmic bug had been quiet for so long, I'd thought it was gone. But it had just been waiting for the perfect moment to take over.
Look at what your revolt has caused, it whispered inside my mind. Your precious freedom is killing everyone you care about.
"Get out of my head!" I snarled, but my voice came out as the Hunger's cruel laughing.
I am part of you now, boy. Every dark thought, every angry impulse, every moment of doubt - that's me, getting stronger.
Through my borrowed eyes, I watched Kira return from whatever world she'd been trapped in. Relief flooded through me, but the Hunger quickly turned it into something ugly.
She abandoned you, it hissed. Left you to fight alone while she played in a beautiful world where someone else made her happy.
