"Never knew you were so interested in pain," it answers, grinning. Marcus's lip splits further, blood sluggishly running down his chin and it knows the best way to hurt her will be to hurt him. It could say anything it wanted about the dead girl she loved or her sister, her parents, all her own failures, but the easiest way to hurt her will be through him.

And so it lets Marcus come through. Just a little. Just enough for his eyes to clear and lock on Kat.

"Don't listen to it," he whispers. "Whatever it says. You know that and-" Then his back arches as pain wracks his body, his arms and legs pulling against the restraints. An anguished cry spills out and he's ashamed, wishes he could do better for those around him, but it just hurts.