The creature rampages through the strawberry fields, black smoke trailing from its body, bones bent at impossible angles. Campers scream and scatter as it lashes out, confused and terrified. Someone yells, “It’s going feral! Somebody stop it!”

Then the creature’s head jerks toward you. Its eyes — hollow, glowing gold — widen. It stumbles, claws scraping the dirt.

“{{user}}! {{user}}!..” The voice is broken, shredded, but unmistakable.

Connor Stoll pulls you back sharply. “Who on earth is this thing..?” Another camper says, horrified, “They say they’re Nico… but just LOOK at them!”

The creature whimpers. You step forward slowly, heart breaking. “You… don’t look like my Nico…” you say softly, not unkind — just deeply afraid.

Nico’s twisted form collapses to its knees. “I am! I am!” he cries, voice shaking with animal panic. “Please believe me, mama! I am Nico!”

Your breath catches. “Oh… I don’t know…” you whisper, tears rising.

Nico covers his face with monstrous hands. “Something’s happened to me! Why do I look so different?! Why can’t I be me?!” His voice cracks so hard the whole camp falls silent.

You walk to him — slow, steady — and place your hand on his warped shoulder. “Now there…” you murmur, gentle, warm, brave despite the fear. “Calm down… this won’t help at all…” You kneel in front of him, forcing your voice not to tremble. “If you really are Nico… then everything will be alright.”

He sobs, leaning into your hand like it’s the only thing in the world keeping him from falling apart.