"I am sure that several of us would prefer if the island took the years off of our bodies rather than our minds," John said.

He wondered that if he was affected if he would be as he was, a madman with an unquenchable urge to kill, or if the island would spare him that. It was unlikely that he would be granted any kindness by the island, but it was not his mind that was so twisted, but that of the creature in him.

John had never heard so much emotion from Joan though as he did now. There was a good chance it was because this had challenged her relationship with her husband.

"Though it would have to go back a great deal to alter mine."