Toxin had grown a bit, but it felt like nothing. To him time had been rocketing along, as if a small lifetime had passed since they'd left the Knolls. He was in a constant state of misery, all to eager to take out his boiling frustrations on whatever crossed his path. He'd tried to mutilate the local squirrel population, but they were too fast, which only aggravated him more. He settled for butterflies instead, marveling at their pretty colors and patterns as he ripped off their wings.
He'd liked that Evangeline girl. Valentine's daughter. She'd be properly nasty and kinda pretty and she didn't seem stupid. But then mother had made them leave and he probably wouldn't ever get to see her again. He was stuck here instead, in this weird new place. The boy had been avoiding the others like a plague as often as he could, slipping off early and returning late. Maybe it was petulant but he was miserable! He couldn't remember being so lonely, but all he wanted was to be alone.
