Vicious

Sydney arrives at Serena’s school, where Serena introduces her to Eli. Eli hasn’t aged in the last 10 years and claims he’s a college senior. Serena tells Sydney she and Eli have abilities, too, and that Eli “wants to see your trick” (152). Sydney is nervous but after some coaxing from Serena, she agrees.

They drive out to a field where Eli has a body he stole from the university hospital. Sydney brings the dead man back to life, and Eli shoots him dead again. He points the gun at Sydney, saying her gift “goes against nature. Against God” (157). Sydney manages to dodge a killing shot and then runs, not looking back.

At the hotel, Sydney tells Victor the entire story of her death and Eli, minus the specific details of her gift. Victor concludes that Eli is on some kind of religious mission to execute EOs. He shows Sydney his gunshot scars and asks her to help them stop Eli. She hesitates, scared of being hurt again. Victor promises no one will harm her “because I’ll hurt them first” (161). Sydney agrees to help and leads them to Serena’s dorm, where an unknown girl answers. Serena gave up her apartment the day before but is likely still living somewhere nearby with Eli.