The two dogs spun around, but it was too late. The monster, known as Buck Simpson, dropped upon the Nocturnals like a tidal wave. Their dying screams drowned in the monster’s void.

"Shit!" Luna climbed onto one of the trash piles while the other dogs fired at the blob. If she takes the higher ground, she might have the chance to slay the beast.

The other dogs kept firing, although their laser rifles had no effect on the creature. Soon Buck engulfed them and choked their life away with his black goo.

After switching her gun to electricity, Luna aimed her weapon. "Hey, Buck!"

The blob turned his white eyes toward her, snarling.

"It's Buck, right?" Luna asked.

"It'ssss Muck now!" The blob shouted through his spit. "Buck isss dead!"

"That's true!" Luna pulled the trigger, taking one shot.

Buck/Muck screamed as the bolts flashed through his slimy body. He melted into the water after the flashing ended.

Did I get him? Luna stepped forward and gazed down at the water.

“Damn!” She couldn’t see the monster again. He probably escaped after she zapped him. Maybe he fell unconscious in the water. But Luna didn’t want to risk jumping down to check herself.

She switched to x-ray vision and gazed around quietly. She aimed her gun in case he tried to jump her. Come out, come out. Wherever you are, f**ker.

She heard a splash and spun around. Nothing, but she has to remain on her toes.

"Over here!" Muck’s voice whispered.

Luna spun around again and wobbled. He wasn’t behind her.

"Here!"

Luna checked, and still nothing.

She growled. "Stop messing with me, freak!"

"Surprise!" Long black tentacles shot up around Luna through the trash below her feet.

Shit! He’s below me! Luna zapped one tentacle and leaped off the garbage pile.

She landed on the next pile and turned around. The black tentacles crawled back into the trash, and the water bubbled.

Muck intended to attack Luna from beneath the water. It might give him the chance to avoid her stun. She could still shoot his tentacles, but he grows too many. Luna would need to jump to the next pile. And she has to be quick about it.

The pile trembled as black tentacles shot out toward her. Luna blasted them and leaped to the next pile.

Her feet splashed into the water, but she clambered toward the top. Without waiting, she blasted five bolts into the water, shocking the entire surface around the trash.

It was a clever plan to zap the monster in the water instead of waiting for it to attack her on the surface. Muck shouldn't be able to escape from the electricity. He will get fried as a toaster dropping into the tub.

After the flashing stopped, Luna stepped toward the edge and gazed down. "Did I get him?"

Without warning, blackness engulfed her from the water, and everything turned dark.