Мгла

           Thenthreemoretentaclesfloatedoutofthemisttowardsus.OnecurledaroundNorm’sflappingredFederalapronandtoreitaway.ItdisappearedbackintothemistwiththeredclothcurledinitsgripandIthoughtofsomethingmymotherusedtosaywhenmybrotherandIwouldbegforsomethingshedidn’twantustohave-candy,acomicbook,sometoy."Youneedthatlikeahenneedsaflag,"she’dsay.Ithoughtofthat,andIthoughtofthattentaclewavingNorm’sredapronaround,andIgotlaughing.Igotlaughing,exceptmylaughterandNorm’sscreamssoundedaboutthesame.MaybenooneevenknewIwaslaughingexceptme.

           Theothertwotentaclesslitheredaimlesslybackandforthontheloadingplatformforamoment,makingthoselowscrapingsoundsIhadheardearlier.ThenoneofthemslappedagainstNorm’slefthipandslippedaroundit.Ifeltittouchmyarm.Itwaswarmandpulsingandsmooth.Ithinknowthatifithadgrippedmewiththosesuckers,Iwouldhavegoneoutintothemisttoo.Butitdidn’t.ItgrabbedNorm.Andthethirdtentacleringletedhisotherankle.

           Nowhewasbeingpulledawayfromme."Helpme!"Ishouted."Ollie!Someone!Givemeahandhere!"

           Buttheydidn’tcome.Idon’tknowwhattheyweredoing,buttheydidn’tcome.

           IlookeddownandsawthetentaclearoundNorm’swaistworkingintohisskin.Thesuckerswereeatinghimwherehisshirthadpulledoutofhispants.Blood,asredashismissingapron,begantoseepoutofthetrenchthepulsingtentaclehadmadeforitself.