Exp 8 broke out of the embrace and patted his sister’s head.

“Oh big brother, you’re so clever. Our team name has both kindness and firmness in it!” said Kawai, rubbing his armored pecks.

“Yeah, but I’m sure I could have come up with something almost as good,” retorted Atatasuki.

“No you couldn’t. So, Brother, are you planning on killing Devlin just to free me?” asked Kawai, floating in front of him.

“Not just for you, but for all those under his control! But calm down, we don’t need to kill him.” Exp 8 put his arm around her shoulders. “Inside Devlin’s lab there are several incubators with dead Exps inside. Ada said Devlin has a plethora of Exps. How many is that exactly?” he asked, looking down at the blue orb in his chest.

“Excluding all of us, it’s around—six—ish. But he’s a hard worker. I’m sure he’ll make another in no time,” said Ada.

“There you have it. There are at least six Exps still trapped in the lab. I won’t allow any more of our people to die! It is our duty to free them,” said Exp 8, holding his sister’s little fingers in his firm grip.

“You guys are too harsh on Devlin. He’s a really sweet kid once you get past his cruel side,” said Ada with an implied smile.

“Yeah, he’s okay for a total jerk, I guess,” said Kawai with a shrug.

“Now that we’re all together, what’s the plan? Are we going to storm the lab with muffins a-blazing?” asked Atatasuki, hopping in excitement.

“That’s a great idea, but let’s think this through a bit more. There are th—four of us. Six more Exps could be really dangerous. Devlin can track us, and knowing him, he’ll probably send them one at a time. That actually works out for us. We’ll just convert them all to our side and get out of range of Devlin’s surveillance in the process. Our plan right now should be to get as far away from Devlin’s lab as possible,” said Exp 8, picking up the pace.

“You are super-duper smart. I really love that about you,” said Kawai, floating by his side.

“Thanks for noticing.”

“So, what’s your favorite color?” asked Kawai.

“I…uhh…never really gave it much thought. Wait, I know, it’s the sun. Whether it’s orange or yellow or gold, it just makes me feel warm,” said Exp 8, looking up at the beaming star.

“Golden brown,” said Atatasuki, jogging backwards and still keeping up with his supposedly better version.

“I like black, hmhm,” said Ada.

“My favorite is platinum,” said Kawai, rubbing her face against her sibling’s powerful chest.

“That’s very flattering. Your armor is very beautiful as well. Gold is a really nice color,” said Exp 8, patting her head.

“Did you hear that? He said I’m beautiful!” squealed Kawai, her hands on Ada. She looked up at Exp 8 and her cheeks turned hot-pink. She rushed behind Atatasuki, holding her flushed cheeks.

“Of course he did. There is nothing in the world more striking than your eyes,” said Atatasuki, swept up in the moment. “Oh, you are just so cute!” He patted her on the head.

Kawai’s tail knocked the faulty hand aside. “Don’t be a creeper. Hey, Brother, do you like cats or dogs more?” she asked, sitting on her leader’s broad shoulders and batting her metal ears.

“Preferential treatment of one species over another is the reason I’m a runaway slave. I love both of them equally,” said Exp 8 with a tight fist.

“You’re just so amazing. Wow! Look Brother, look, look! Devlin’s lab looks like a harmless dot from way over here,” said Kawai, leaning over his shoulder.

“Just think of all the torment condensed in that one little speck,” said Exp 8, his fists shaking.

“I’m tired from the long walk over here. Big brother, can you carry me?” asked Kawai, dropping herself in his arms.

“How can you be tired of walking if you levitate?” asked Exp 8 with buried frustration.

“I’ll carry you, little sis,” said Atatasuki as he picked her up.

Kawai turned away from him. “I won’t be touched by a failure. I want to be in the arms of a true Exp, not a piece of crap like you. Hmph,” she said, hopping out of his arms.

Exp 8 turned his sister to face him. “Atatasuki is a member of the team, so treat him with some respect.”

“Hey! Don’t talk to her like that,” said Atatasuki, grabbing his latest version by the arm.

“I understand you’re smitten with her, but you can’t just let her abuse you,” said Exp 8, clasping his brother’s hand in his own.

“I can do what I want, when I want, why I want, wherever and in any way, sort, or form that I want. That’s called free will, look it up.”

“Ooh, ooh, I can do it,” said Ada.

Exp 8 glared at his stubborn ally. “You’re really starting to get on my nerves. Hey, Kawai!”

She flipped around, looking at Exp 8 upside down. “Yes, my super hunky dearly beloved?” Kawai bounced up and down while still afloat.

“Cut the crap. You need to treat our brother with some respect. Is that clear?” asked Exp 8, pulling her out of the air.

“Okay, if you insist, I’ll let you carry me!” she said, using his arms like a hammock.

“I already said no,” said Exp 8, placing her back in the air.

“Treat her with respect!” yelled Atatasuki.

“This is impossible!” yelled Exp 8, fuming.

Kawai floated in between her siblings. “There’s no need to fight over me. You could just kill Atatasuki and steal me away,” she said, slowly descending with her hands clasped behind her head.

“What is your problem?” asked Exp 8, his palm on his forehead.

“If you want, I could beat him and win your eternal love. After all, I just pretended to lose to him so that I wouldn’t end up killing him. I broke out of the net before I surrendered. I wasn’t really done. If I killed him, I know it would just ruin your whole week. I don’t want to see tears fall from your beautiful eyes.” Atatasuki reached out and touched her cheek.

Kawai pulled away and puffed out her cheeks.

“Wow, Atatasuki, you have such a way with words,” said Ada.

“I can be romantic too,” retorted Exp 8.

“Oh yes, a real ladies’ man. This Casanova tripped when he heard my voice. Oh, let me impersonate you greeting someone: ‘Who the hell are you!’” exclaimed Ada joyfully.

“Ada, your laughter is like a song to my ears. Your knowledge is unparalleled. Your every mechanized feature emanates greatness,” said Exp 8 romantically.

“I can beat that! Kawai, every time you crush my heart, it beats faster, yearning for acceptance,” said Atatasuki, squeezing his chest.

“What if I beat your face in?” asked Kawai with a wicked smile.

“Then I would forever cherish the imprint left by your graceful hands,” said Atatasuki, touching his face.

“Stop, you’re freaking me out. Brother, can you compliment my beauty?” asked Kawai, turning to her perfected copy and bouncing up and down.

“Uhhh…okay. You look like an innocent child, but the heart of a sadist beats malevolently inside you,” said Exp 8 poetically, combing the hair out of her eyes.

“I didn’t know you were a poet,” said Kawai, turning away with a scarlet blush.

“What does he have that I don’t?” asked Atatasuki, pushing out his chest.

“A working body, for one. Not to mention strength, intelligence, thick armor, muscles, tact, a firm chest, and long flowing hair!” exclaimed Kawai.

“That’s what this is,” said Exp 8, moving the wires away from the sides of his face.

“What do you think of my hair?” asked Kawai with a twirl.

“I love it! So, sister, can I carry you?” asked Atatasuki, squatting down.

“Of course you can, my love,” said Kawai, dropping in her big brother’s arms once more.

“But you’re the only one who can fly!” shouted Exp 8. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to yell,” he said, feeling Atatasuki’s dagger-like gaze upon him.

“Oh, that reminds me, I know of this romantic place not too far from here. Let’s go,” she said, wrapping her tail under his arms. She then activated her shampoo bottle-sized jet boosters and flew off.

“Don’t forget about me again!” yelled Atatasuki as he rushed after them. He tripped on a branch and fell.

The Muffin of Victory popped off of his tail and onto the dirt.

“At least I have you, Muffin of Victory,” said Atatasuki, nestling it to his tearful face. He then impulsively plopped the muffin in his mouth. After swallowing it and rubbing his belly, he leaned back. He looked down at the golden crumbs on his palms and realized that they were all that was left of his pastry companion. He shouted out from the bottom of his lungs.

Exp 8 looked at Atatasuki vanish in the distance. “Why did you leave him behind?” asked Exp 8, tapping his sister’s shoulder.

“I wanted some alone time,” she said, smiling down at him.

“Then why are you bringing me?” asked Exp 8, rocking back and forth in her grip.

“Silly, I want to be alone with you. Heehee.”

“Where exactly are we going?”

“It’s not too far.”

“You shouldn’t have left Atatasuki behind.”

“Um, big brother, it’s kind of strange. This is a jungle, but there are pine trees. And look, there’s a squirrel over there. Don’t you think that’s a teensy bit odd?” asked Kawai, nestling up against him.

“You’re right! This doesn’t match my knowledge of jungles. What is this place?” asked Exp 8, spotting a howler monkey atop a pine tree.

“Do you want to know why it’s like this?” asked Ada, turning to the cuddly little girl.

“Quiet! I’m trying to chat with my brother,” said Kawai.

“Maybe we should turn back. We’re getting a bit too far from Atatasuki. How is he going to find us?” asked Exp 8.

“I told you, it’s not far. It’s in the area where the forest and the jungle collide. It’s in the frungle.”

“The what?”

“A frungle is part forest and part jungle. It was part of some experiment.”

“Even the land has been twisted by Devlin.”

“It’s part natural, part artificial, just like us!” Kawai broke eye contact. “Oh, we’re here.”

“That was fast,” said Exp 8.

The scenery changed from a desert wasteland to a green landscape brimming with life.

“This place…it’s amazing!” Exp 8 scanned the bushes and waved at the birds as they flew by. He marveled at the trees. “I never imagined a place so beautiful. I know what a jungle is…but this is something else. Thank you, Kawai. This is the greatest gift anyone’s ever given me. I couldn’t be happier,” he said, wiping away tears on the edges of his eyelids.

“Oh, please continue, you’re making me blush,” she said, covering her face with the heart-shaped tip of her tail.

“I’ll never forget this. Um, is this a swamp? Why are we landing here?” asked Exp 8, slipping out of her grip and falling into a murky pool of water.

“This is the place I wanted to show you,” said Kawai, pulling her date out of the water and onto dry land.

The roots of the trees merged with the lake. Patches of algae coated the surface of the green murky water.

“But the other place was so much more…everything. I mean, sure there are microbes in the water, but I don’t even hear any birds chirping.”

“I can chirp for you, if you’d like,” said Kawai, blowing some beetles off a moss-covered vine.

“I just don’t see what’s so romantic about this place, its dark, murky—you can’t even see the sky.” Exp 8 squinted through the foliage of the mangroves.

“Just stop complaining and listen! You can hear frogs croaking, trees creaking, and my excited breathing!”

“You’re right! This place is teeming with life. Why didn’t I see it before?” Exp 8 peered at the cloud of mosquitoes prodding his body for an opening. “They’re all so free,” he said, bobbing his head to the buzzing.

“I’ve dreamed of making love here. Forcing you to come was my backup plan, in case things didn’t work out between us. This place is special because in here…only I can hear you scream,” said Kawai, tugging on a vine and making a cracking sound.

“What about me? I may not have ears, but I can hear just fine,” said Ada, her core turning to the girl.

“I guess we’ll have to share; it’s not like I can separate you,” said Kawai, pulling the vine around the tree.

“Sounds fun,” said Ada with a spin.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re planning, but you need to think this through,” said Exp 8.

Kawai floated up to her prisoner and licked her lips. “Are you scared? That is soooo adorable. Heeheehmph.”

“Don’t worry. I can hear you scream,” said Ada, looking up at the team leader.

“Sound Shot…gun,” cheered Kawai, snapping the vine.

Six sound waves jettisoned out of vine at an arc. They tore through Exp 8, knocking him down to the moist grass.

Exp 8 yelled as he writhed around.

“You know, it didn’t have to be like this. It could have been consensual. But, this way is okay too.” Kawai put her palms together and fired a laser net at him.

The net wrapped around his bulky body, trapping him indefinitely.

“If Atatasuki can break out of mine, why can’t I break out of yours?” asked Exp 8, tumbling around like a renegade log. “What did I do to upset you?” He looked up at her from the soggy grass.

“You disappointed me. I was hoping you would make the first move. But I won’t let it get to me. So, like the view?” asked Kawai with a light blush, floating just a foot above his head.

“We can talk this out. Let’s, uh, do something together…just the two of us.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Hmm hmm hmm hmhmm hmm.” Kawai continued to hum as she wrapped the net around the mossy tree. She backed up and made a frame with her hands. She pushed Exp 8’s legs open with her tail and gazed up at her masterpiece with shimmering eyes.

“Aww, she’s going to force herself on you, isn’t that just precious?” asked Ada.

“This isn’t funny! Ada, help me out!” he yelled, struggling to break free.

“Alright, ooof. You can do it. You can do it. Go, go, go! You can do it. You can do it. This I know!” cheered Ada.

Kawai smacked Ada with her tail and grabbed her prisoner’s chin through the holes in the net. “Why are you resisting? Damn. Butter-muffins. Just hold still.” She flew to the sides and tightened the net. “That’s much better. Look, I like being on top. But that doesn’t mean this can’t be consensual,” she said, looking into his eyes. She started to rub Exp 8’s chest, biting her lip in excitement.

“Stop. That tickles, hoohoo,” said Ada, spinning around.

Kawai pulled back her hand. “Damn it, I’ve always liked his concave chest. Isn’t there any way to take you out?” she asked, trying to stick her finger in the crevices.

“Not that I’m aware of. My body is surgically attached to him. Like an extravagant tumor,” said Ada with a spin.

“That’s an…uh…interesting metaphor. So do you feel everything I do to this hunky body or just around the chest area?” asked Kawai as she licked his ear.

“I only feel what the big blue sphere in his chest feels,” said Ada.

“Damn it, I kind of wanted to spin that little ball around. Oh well, I’ve still got plenty to grab. Devlin designed your armor to be an extension of your body. Nerves are woven throughout your armor, so you can react to even the slightest touch. It was my suggestion. I’ve been fantasizing about this moment for so long,” said Kawai, stroking her captive’s body sensually with her tail.

“What are you doing, we barely even know each other?” said Exp 8, straining to move his head.

“You’re so funny! We’re practically brother and sister.”

“That makes it even worse,” said Exp 8.

“I…(sniffle)…I thought it was cute,” said Kawai.

“Release me now.”

Kawai wiped her watery eyes and put on a smile. “Fine then, how about you just think of it as a mini-you having fun with your big body?” she proposed, dragging her hand down his chest.

“This is wrong. I can’t even move.”

“Ummm, Brother, when I lick your finger, does it turn you on?” asked Kawai, lapping his finger like a cat.

“Please, just let me down.”

“But if I do that, then we won’t have any fun.”

“Who the hell’s having fun?” asked Exp 8 as he struggled to break free.

Suddenly they heard the sound of a wrecked plane engine.

Atatasuki fell into a nearby puddle, making the frogs in it hop away. He stood up, his sight lining up with Kawai and Exp 8. “Oh my merciful Muffin God! What is going on here?” he asked, stepping back with surprise and turning away with jealousy.

Ada lit up and turned to Atatasuki. “Kawai wanted alone time with Exp 8, so she abandoned you, tied him up, and now she is going to have fun with his immobilized body. Isn’t that just so cute?”

“I already figured that much out. But yes…it’s adorable,” said Atatasuki with fresh tears.

Kawai turned around while her tail continued to rub against her big brother. “How did you get here so fast? How did you get here at all?”

“I followed the jet stream you left behind like the sweet, strawberry-flavored aroma of love. I can fly too, you know. But anyway, what the hell are you doing!” he asked as he re-realized what was going on.

“Shall I repeat the situation?” asked Ada, bouncing in excitement.

“I just can’t believe she would do this so soon. Is he really that much better than me?” asked Atatasuki, his whole body drooping.

“What are you talking about? I haven’t even started yet,” said Kawai, her tail tightening.

“Brother, you have to help me!” exclaimed Exp 8.

“I refuse. I never want to see her cry again,” said Atatasuki with a firm pose.

“Can’t I have a little privacy?” asked Kawai with flushed cheeks and an angry tone.

“I’m sorry, sister. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Atatasuki turned around and walked away. His arm covered his mask, but his sobs could be heard regardless.

“Where are you going? I need someone to rescue me!” exclaimed Exp 8.

“I’ll rescue you from your own sexual inexperience as soon as I find out how to remove this crotch-plate,” said Kawai, yanking on the thick metal slab between his powerful legs.

A rustling in the trees caused the aroused prototype’s ears to perk up.

Devlin came crashing down on what was left of a hover bike. After tumbling across the ground, he rose to his feet. He then extended his hands out to the heavens like a deity as the bike exploded behind him.

“Does everyone have the ability to fly except me?” asked Exp 8, his eyes lowering.

“Worthless trash!” Devlin exclaimed as he kicked the melted remains of his bike.

“Yes, Master?” replied Kawai, believing she was being called upon.

“Oh, hello Worthless Trash. Um, what’s going on here?” asked Devlin with a raised eyebrow.

“Allow me! The situation is as follows: Kawai is having her way with Exp 8,” said Ada cheerfully.

“Thank you for your analysis, but I was simply stunned and asked a rhetorical question. So, Ada, who is currently on Exp 8’s team?” asked Devlin, approaching her.

“She doesn’t work for you anymore. Ada won’t tell you anything,” said Exp 8 through gritted teeth.

“Well, there’s Kawai,” said Ada.

“That was bound to happen,” said Devlin with a shrug.

“Ada, what are you doing?” exclaimed Exp 8.

“And Atatasuki has joined as well.”

“What? Failed Experiment joined him? But he hates Exp 8. Why would—he gave you the Muffin of Victory, didn’t he?” asked Devlin, turning to the muffin fanatic with a condescending look.

“How did you know?” asked Atatasuki, his eyes still watery.

“Psychic powers, oooooooooh,” said Devlin shaking his fingers mystifyingly.

“Really?” asked Atatasuki, his head tilted back with astonishment.

“No, you idiot; it’s obvious. Why else would you join him? Besides, the end of your tail is missing.”

“What the hell are you guys doing? That’s Devlin!” yelled Exp 8, still squirming around in the net.

“Duh,” said Atatasuki.

“Why are you all acting so calm, and why the hell is he even here?”

The laser net finally dissipated and Exp 8 fell to the ground. He rolled out of his fall and charged toward his enemy.

Devlin went into Warrior II Pose and shocked his restless creation with a Taser the size of a ballpoint pen.

Exp 8 fell to the ground, shaking as he went into a seizure before ceasing to move altogether.

“Allow me to explain,” said Devlin, sitting down on Exp 8 and arching his head back. “First off, I am their master and creator. Unlike you, they have a sense of gratitude. And to answer your second question, I’m here to warn you that NoOne is following you.”

“First off, why would you warn us, and secondly, you’re following us!” Exp 8 steadied his hand before lunging at his enemy.

In a flash, Devlin leaped off of Exp 8. He landed and then spun around. His eyebrows went up and his smile became deranged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He then walked up to Failed Experiment and sat down on a nearby log. “So, any luck with Worthless Trash?”

Atatasuki sat down next to Devlin and scratched his cheek. “Hmm, to be honest…things are going great! She’s talking to me again, she’s adorable, and we’re on the same team!”

“I’m rooting for you, pal. I don’t know if she deserves you, but you sure deserve her.”

“Wow, I’m honored. You know, with this whole rebellion going on, I think we’ll get together in no time. But what about you? How are things with you and Nina going?”

“She ignores me all the time now. If anything, things have gotten worse.”

“Pain is the curse of love. But, love is such a blessing. The pain is well worth it. I hope things look up for you,” said Atatasuki, patting his frienemy on the back.

“Thanks. Who knows, maybe Exp 8’s little uprising will get her interested. She’ll have to talk to me if she wants a piece of the action, right?”

“That’s the spirit. Never give in to despair!”

“Why are you talking to our sworn enemy about your love life?” asked Exp 8, his voice cracking.

“I haven’t seen him in a while and it helps to talk about it. I can’t talk to you about this kind of stuff, we’re love rivals,” said Atatasuki with a competitive glare.

“But she loves me. I don’t love her. Ugh, this is so annoying,” said Exp 8, grabbing his head.

“You’re still competition. So Devlin, how are you going to get back to the lab now?” asked Atatasuki, gesturing to the destroyed hover bike.

“I was hoping one of you could take me,” said Devlin with a warm smile.

“I would, but my jetpack is kind of defective…always,” said Atatasuki, patting his chest with pride.

“Worthless Trash, could you give me a lift back to the lab?” asked Devlin, getting up from the log.

“Of course, Master.” Kawai floated up to him, wrapped her tail around his waist and pulled him off the ground. “Hold on tight,” she said before flying off into the distance.

“Wha-wha-wa-wa-what just happened?” asked Exp 8.

“Would you like an analysis?” asked Ada cheerfully.

Exp 8 walked to his brother as he made circles to loosen his jaw. “So, what do we do now? I mean, she isn’t coming back, right?”

“Of course she is! She’s just giving Devlin a lift, that’s all.”

“Why would she do that? He’s our enemy. Am I the only one who realizes this?” asked Exp 8, massaging his temples.

“Are you saying we can’t trust Kawai? I’ve known her a lot longer than you have. I’ll admit she is a fickle girl. She forgot about me in the instant someone better came along. But with you, it’s more than just infatuation. She loves you with every inch of her little body. She would never even think of betraying you,” said Atatasuki, grabbing his rival’s shoulder.

Exp 8 put his hand on his brother’s arm. “That was a great speech, but it doesn’t explain why she just helped Devlin go back to the lab. If she had some sort of plan to find out just how many Exps are in there, then I would have told her it was too dangerous. She needs to communicate with her team or we won’t know what’s up. For all we know, she could be telling the enemy our whole plan right now. Look…I just need to know who I can trust, okay?”

“Just because Devlin is our enemy doesn’t mean we shouldn’t help him out in his time of need. We can’t let the fact that we’re adversaries ruin our relationship with him. We can’t be swept up in hatred or we’ll be no better than him. Well, we’ll still be a lot better I guess. But he’s my friend and friends help each other out. Besides, he made us; we owe it to him,” said Atatasuki with a firm fist.

Exp 8 grabbed his brother’s fist. “We don’t owe him anything! Life-forms are made to create, and we must take care of our creations. Devlin sold me off like a trinket. He is no longer my father; I don’t owe him anything. I will not help him even if he begs me with his last dying breath. This is no game, brother. We are going to be hunted down. That lunatic is willing to kill us, so we must be willing to do the same. I am not downplaying the consequences of murder. We will not kill Devlin unless there is no other option.”

“What if Kawai betrayed us? Are you suggesting we kill her? My life is nothing without her. I won’t let you hurt her,” said Atatasuki with an intense look.

“Calm down, I would never…she’s family. We must survive, but killing is our last resort. Now come on, let’s get away from here before our creator returns with reinforcements,” said Exp 8, scanning the skies.

“Why not just fly?”

“Uh, the thing is…I can’t,” said Exp 8, turning away.

“I saw your blueprints. You have jetpacks.”

“Really, I can fly?” exclaimed Exp 8, his eyes shimmering.

“That means I can fly with you. Yay!” cheered Ada, spinning around.

Exp 8 put his hands up high and expected to shoot up into the sky.

Toads croaked in the distance.

“Do you want me to help?” asked Ada.

“Please do,” said Exp 8, closing his eyes.

“Just push theeeeeee…sheep?” said Ada, turning slightly.

“What sheep?” asked Exp 8, scanning his arm for the mysterious sheep button.

“There’s a sheep, right over there. I…can’t explain this,” said Ada.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure sheep aren’t indigenous to swamps. This is Devlin’s doing,” said Exp 8.

“Hi sheep. How are you? Are you hungry?” asked Atatasuki, feeding the sheep an apple muffin.

The sheep exploded.

“What the hell! Why did it explode? What did you do?” asked Exp 8, rushing up to Atatasuki and shaking him furiously.

“Why are there sheep in the frungle?” asked Atatasuki, blood spread across his inquisitive face.

“Why is Devlin bringing innocents into his mess?” Exp 8 picked up the sheep’s bloody head as tears dripped down his cheek.

A voice came out from the lifeless head. “You have fallen into my trap. Look around you. You’re completely surrounded by my wool warriors!”

Exp 8 looked up to see dozens of sheep coming out from behind the nearby trees. “Is this why Kawai brought me here? No, that’s just what Devlin wants me to think. Come on out and I’ll make you pay for what you did to that sheep!” he yelled, his elbow talons shooting out.

The sheep parted in the front and began to chant in unison. “Meheh.Meheh.”

The Freedom Forcers gazed in both awe and disbelief as a shadow riding on four sheep approached them.

The shadow had no facial features. It was as if a permanent silhouette had been cast upon the shadowy figure.

“Who the hell are you?” yelled Exp 8, clenching both his fists.

The walking shadow looked sketchy, as if someone had messed up on a drawing and scribbled over their shame. It had a large black blade for a left hand and a stub for its right. It sliced into the stub as if it were cutting a loaf of bread. The parted sections formed uneven fingers. The shadow then sprouted a sharp end on its right elbow and carved fingers out of the bladed hand. The leftover pieces crawled back inside its body. It brought up its newly formed hands, popped holes in its head for eyes and then cut across its face to make a jagged smile.

“Did you not hear me? You have fallen into my trap,” said the shadowy figure in a deep, wispy voice.