The cloud's eyes narrowed as it came closer to the boys. Jack squeezed his shut and turned away, an attempt to keep the beast's control away. But something brought his attention back to it, and against his will his eyes opened and adopted the same sapphire hue as the cloud. Stryker tried to cry out as a bit of the cloud wrapped around him and pinned him to the bridge, but it covered his mouth. Jack slowly started to stand, never taking his eyes off the billow.
Come...to...me... he heard it say. Come...to me...
Stryker strained against the cloud's grip as Jack's head tilted. It was only inches from Jack's nose now, its jaws stretching open as it hissed:
Come to me...Come to me...
Jack's eyelids drooped, then he nodded vaguely. Stryker managed to get his mouth free, and was working his arms out when the cloud reared back; he paused in fear. It had stopped looking like a cloud, and more like a dragon.
"Oh heck-"
Jack's body snapped back as the cloud slammed into him, swirling around before turning into a single form. It was forcing its way into Jack's mouth, his eyes, his ears, and all the while Stryker was screaming. The billow continued to infect Jack, and his body slowly lifted off the ground. It stopped infiltrating his eyes and Stryker saw that they had turned blue, sapphire blue, and the white had turned to black as dark liquid streamed down his cheeks. Stryker looked down and saw that the cloud was unable to keep a hold on him, so he rushed to his feet and tried to grab Jack's arm. Something pulled him away and he was forced to do nothing but watch as Jack's eyes glowed brighter and brighter, until Stryker was unable to keep his eyes open. He squeezed them shut and turned away, the breath knocked out of him.