"Like, well, like this, for starters." He gestures at himself, mouth twisting wryly. "I think it wanted to see what would happen. See if I could do it. And that's not even getting into the dreams."

Whether it had been curious or vindictive or both, he's left with little doubt that the Rift did what it did to him purposefully.

"We're its things," he finishes glumly. "To toy with whenever it feels like it."