John's POV

The serum was cold when it entered my veins, and I didn’t think much of it at first.

Roland had promised me it was safe. Professionally processed, no side effects, no loss of control. His voice had been convincing.

But minutes later, everything blurred. My thoughts cracked apart like glass under pressure. Heat flooded my body, clawing at me from the inside. My pulse roared in my ears, drowning out everything else.

I stumbled out into the night, desperate to breathe and stop the ...