(A day after Scar was taken) 

Pix.

I frown at the voice in my mind. For a moment I shake it off as exhaustion before I feel the tendrils wrapping around my leg.

Sculk.

Panic.

'No... no no... How did you get in?!' I drop to the ground, trying to free myself. It's too strong. Another attempt. Nothing.

The same way your friend got out. A pause. The friend it appears no one else cares about.

I stop.

'What?'

Surely if you cared about someone you'd... help them? Are the others helping them?

'It's not like we have space for everyone.'

True. Though I would've expected Cub and Grian to do more.

'They're recovering.'

Obviously.

I fight the suspicion the Sculk wants me to feel, finally tearing the tendrils free. It hangs limp in my hand for a moment, before tangling around my wrist, creating its weird mental connection again. 

Gem isn't recovering. Doc isn't recovering. The sculk continues to speak.

'Shut up, I'm working.'

Forgive my interruption. I'll let you work.

The sculk drops away, leaving me more uneasy than I'd admit.

(A few days later)

'Pix? Joe? Are you in here?'

I turn as Doc enters the tower, taking in the chaos. We've turned from research in books to researching the portal itself, even though it's closed. There's still sculk on this side to try to figure out. Just listening. It hasn't spoken to me since the first time, but I'm uncomfortably aware that it could. 

'Hey, Doc. Doc you want something?'

'Martyn's wondering how long this will take.'

'We're working as hard as we can...'

'I know.' I know Doc's unconvinced. 'I know... it's just... I'm worried. Ren's one of my closest friends on the server. And he's probably dead. Or the Sculk did what it did to Zedaph.'

'Look, we're trying, but we're getting nowhere,' Doc's eyes narrow. 

Maybe if he wants progress he could actually help himself

The Sculk. I try to ignore it.

'Look, Doc. We... I'll be honest, what we really need is more help. So... if you're willing...'

'I'm busy with Grian. His wings. That the Sculk-'

'I know!'

'Then stop it happening to Ren too!' Doc yells back. I fall silent. 

'Get out.' I demand at last. 'I'm not arguing with you any more.' Doc doesn't argue, just walking out and slamming the door behind.

Hypocrite.

'Go away, Sculky.' I return to working. The Sculk doesn't care.

They don't care about this at all, do they? 

'Of course they do.'

If they cared, they would actually help. Or they're not helping you because they just see you as an outsider.

'You're lying.'

I've listened to hermits coming and going. And noticed patterns... it's curious how many hermits come and assist Joe's work. While you've had no help at all.

I don't believe it. 

Mostly.

'What do you mean?'

They care about Joe, their fellow Hermit. They know and trust him. But the strange outsider who watches them constantly? No chance. Unless, of course, he got them through the portal.

'I can't.'

Even if I helped you?

'Why would you do that?' No reply.

Let's just say we'd both get something out of it.

'No.' I don't need to think to know it's a bad idea.

You don't even know what I'd get.

'I don't need to know to realise it'd ruin everything.'

You'd get everything you want... victory, respect. I promise I'm not lying about the hermits... I will let you continue working alone until make a choice. I'm sure it'll be the right one.

I don't know how many hours it's been since I've slept, but Joe's worry means it's probably too many. The Sculk's words haven't left my head. I've been trying to find another way to get through the portal without its help, but nothing works. And at the same time, I've been spying on Joe and the visitors the Sculk wasn't lying about. False appears with a book of notes. Cleo's coming around near-daily. And yet no one comes to me. Except Doc, asking about Ren again, Gem passive-aggressively talking about Pearl, and Joe, demanding for me to sleep.

'I'm fine,' I insist to him. 'Everything's fine. I'm just working. I just don't want you to be working too long here. The Sculk's... it's hard to work with. I don't want to subject you to it too much.'

'Pix, you're exhausted. You're more tired than an 8 wheeled truck... just get some more sleep. I'll take over.'

'And have the other hermits adore you as you do?!' I don't know where the outburst came from. Joe's expression turns to confusion. 'While they leave me alone.'

'You were talking to Gem the other day.'

'Gem was talking  about why Pearl needs help. Before disappearing without assisting.'

'The hermits are just worried.' He approaches. 'And I guess some might not know you as well as...'

I snap.

'F*** OFF JOE!' I turn on him. Joe steps back, hurt. 'F*** off with your stupid friends and your stupid puns and LEAVE ME ALONE!'

'Well if you're really going to be that mean, then I see what THEY mean!' There are tears in his eyes, though his tone stays perfectly calm. 'Goodbye.'

And, snatching up his book of research that's twice as full as mine, he leaves.

I don't move. 

His words cut deeper than the Sculk's. The Sculk I wished was lying... but I've got no time to think about it. I need to prove myself worthy of the Hermit's respect and friendship. And getting through the portal is the only way I know how to... I sit at my desk, turning to the mess of ideas that won't work... nothing will work... no one cares about my work.

'F***!' I sweep it all aside, fighting tears, head in hands as I sit there. 'F*** this...' I mutter, over and over. I can't do this alone. I know I can't do this alone. So I make my decision.

'Sculk?'

I will help get you through that portal, my friend. And I will make the others realise your investment far surpasses theirs.

'What will you get from it?' I mumble, still not looking up. 

I am stranded this side of the portal, just as you are. Of course, some part of me is on the other side, but I cannot sense it, or know what it knows, or what it is doing. I will benefit from opening the portal as much as you will.

'I thought you could get through it.' I frown, but tiredness and lingering jealousy drowns out my suspicion.

I can only get through if I have a host. It spreads further up my leg. I stop.

'You'll possess me.'

And the moment you go through the portal, I promise I will let you go.

'You... promise?'

I always keep my promises. 

'Then do it. Possess me.'

And everything turns black.