Caine winced. He ran a hand through his hair. His head felt hot.

He turned quickly, feeling as if someone was sneaking up behind him. No one there but the girl, Brittney, on the floor.

How had he not seen this coming? How had he not realized he would be trapped here? Even if he could somehow reach his people at Coates, they were far fewer in number than the number of kids Sam could command.

And none would come. Not here. Not with Sam surrounding the place.

Sam could have fifty people sitting outside the power plant within a few hours. And what could Caine do?

What could he do?

They had taken the power plant. They had turned off the lights in Perdido Beach.

But now they were trapped. It was impossible.

Caine frowned, trying to concentrate. Why had he done it? In the space of a minute he had gone from crowing triumph to dismal humiliation.

What he had done? It made no sense. It gained him nothing. All he had thought was: Take the plant. Take it, and hold it. Then . . .

Then . . .

Caine felt himself sinking, mind swirling down and down as if a pit had opened beneath him.

The realization was sudden and sickening. He hadn’t taken the power plant in order to get food for his people, or even to show his power over Sam. He hadn’t been following his own desires at all.

Caine, the color all drained from his face now, stared at Drake.

“It’s for him,” Caine said. “It’s all for him.”

Drake narrowed his eyes, uncomprehending.

“He’s hungry,” Caine whispered. It hurt him to see the dawning realization in Diana’s eyes as he said the words, “He’s hungry in the dark.”

Hunger, Chapter 26