The cold shiver crawled all over Vivian's body.
She dared not look at it, her gaze fixed on the ghostly carpet of light and shadow. Her bare toes curled away, avoiding the twisting, dancing black mist.
"I feel awful."
Vivian's voice was hoarse, "Really, really awful."
The black monster immediately let out a careless laugh.
It sounded like gravel scraping sandpaper, or a sharp knife grating glass. The voice was layered and bizarre.
"Then you better try harder." It leaned close to her, making a sniffing gesture. "What are you hiding on you?"
As it spoke, a terrifying crack opened up around its waist, and a writhing arm stretched from within the black-red crevice. Vivian wanted to scream, but her voice was trapped in her throat, watching this horrific scene unfold.
The alien arm pressed onto the girl's body, instantly tearing apart her dress. A piece of soft fabric fluttered down, then was snatched up and thrown into the grotesque crack.
