My body feels so weak that I can barely muster up enough strength to lift my hand.

I hear them outside of the room sometimes, talking about me and my worsening state.

Some nights I would cry myself to sleep, knowing that my body and possibly my entire life was at stake.

It was a week that we had to spend in order to sail our way to the island.

I was lifted up into Poppy's arms that morning.
He carried me out of that stuffy room and into the open doors of a very dreary looking island.
It was horrific, the place was made up of volcanic glass and obsidian.

I could only remain limp as I was handed over to a man in what looked to be a doctor's uniform in black.
He seemed pretty though there wasn't much to see as his black surgical mask and long bangs seemed to cover most of his face.

He looked at me and led Dr. Heartfelt to the room I had assumed he'd be working on me in.

They discussed theories and spoke of cures while I was analyzed oh so painfully slowly by this new Doctor.

After what felt like eternity, the new doctor piped up with a deep and gravelly voice.
"I see the issue- and it isn't an easy fix...

In fact, it is such a difficult task that many learn to embrace the infection by the end of it's passing." He speaks as he adjusts his black gloves.

I hear them continue to discuss... until I begin to fade and pass out.

When I awoke again, it was dark in my room.
I forced myself to stand as I clutched my chest that ached as though fire was burning it up.

I needed to open a window and so I ungracefully pulled some open at an attempt to gather some fresh air into my lungs.

But all that resulted was a horrible agony that I screamed outwardly through.
It echoed through wherever I was, I was losing my footing and the pain was too much.

I clutched to the railing of a balcony I now found myself upon.

The wind battered me as I heard sounds of other people either groaning or giggling.

I took peace in that if only for a few moments before the pain knocked me back and I found myself clawing my way across the floor.

I reached a dresser and THAT was when I got a good look at myself.

My body was so sickeningly pale and my face...
No...
Percy's face...
I was tired... WE were tired...
The agony of being changed had taken it's toll on me.
But then I heard the door creak open ever so slightly.

The familiar sound of boots entered the room but so did the clicking...
Clicking of bones.
I turned to face him but couldn't bring myself to do it quickly.
Too much pain.

I panted with pain in my lungs while SkinTaker stared me down and towered over my helpless form.
"Here to finish me off?" I managed as he made a "Tsk" sound and walked to the front of me then knelt before me.

"No no... I'm here to make an offer..." He said with tones of malicious intent laced into every word.
I narrowed my eyes to signal to him that I wasn't about to accept his bullshit as fact.

He brushed it off then opened what at first looked to be a rippling wall of water then stilled into a mirror only... I was staring at myself but I wasn't me this time.

I realised the other person was likely Percy. I stared at him then he noticed me and jumped with fright before he approached and came to look at me.

We pressed hands against the wall that seperated us, staring into the other's eyes before I heard SkinTaker say.
"The offer is. You come with me and find peace from this agony while Percy returns to his body.

I noticed the look of horror when Percy realised SkinTaker was there then I saw the anger as he stood up and slammed his fists against the wall.

I couldn't bring myself to look at SkinTaker, I could only mull over this offer he presented to me.

"If you think I'm that stupid then you must really be losing your mind." I said to him.
"You are an idiot to think I'd take an offer like that."

SkinTaker shook his head.
"You are a fool to not take it, you'd be free from agony and Percy could return to his body... he'd be back with his crew and everything would return to normal."

I mulled it over once more, considering the thought. "Where's the strings? You always seem to attach strings."

He chuckled and then grabbed me from behind, slamming me into the mirror.
"I suppose there always does appear to be strings attached now doesn't there. If you won't give up willingly then I guess I'll kill you myself."

He then hoisted me up then walked to the balcony as he screamed in agony and screamed for help.

He then lifted me up over his head, I took one last look at Percy and saw the horror and rage in his eyes as he screamed to no avail and then I was airborne.

Plummeting to my demise as the pain from overextending myself took hold and had me black out once again.