The agony grew until I tasted the distinct copper flavor of blood—my own blood.

My body seemed to clench in on itself, as if I was vomiting and being vacuumed into the center of my existence. I wanted to scream and cry but couldn't draw in even the smallest breath. I clutched Alexis with hands like claws and saw him through a haze of red.

I was bleeding from my eyes.

Alexis carried me swiftly down the beach screaming, "Oni! Oni, help!" He stumbled into their ...