Chapter twoThe thing advanced towards me, shambling. Something red shone in one of its hands. I c****d up the sword, braced and ready to rush in.
“Nnng — nnng—” The thing mouthed incomprehensible words, slobbering. It stopped stock-still. “Nnng — bbl—” It threw the red object from one hand to another and I saw it was a child’s ball.
Ready to leap forward and deal in my usual way with monsters, I paused. The thing turned its grotesque head to one side, and I felt that movement was one of puzzlement, almost of pleading. Once more it threw the ball from hand to hand. Then it threw the ball at me. The rubbery lips writhed over the words. “Bbl — play!”
The ball bounced towards me.
I caught it in my left hand and threw it back. Instantly the thing assumed a crouching position, six arms wavin
