Lost within the Flesh

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

That word seemed to strike them like a cold bucket of water. "Amputation?!" It hissed. Neck craning up to stare at the other with that manic intensity. "N-no! I need...Hsss...I need all my limbs! All my parts!" It insisted pleadingly. The unraveled turned to face the Medic entirely after the statement. "I mean... I mean..." Its head craned to look down at itself. Muttering under its breath as it counted. "...S...Seven arms is too many. People only have two! And they have legs!" It hissed out desperately. "I sss...Sssuppossee you could take a few.." their tone was one of reservation and fruitless hope. "...Ooohhh...I'm hopeless, Doc. Aren't I?"

Those hollow eyes stared silently as the Medic acquired their tools. Long bony talons uncharacteristically scraping together with a nervous anticipation. "J...Jussst leave me sssome armsss, alright?" The thing hissed uncertainly. "I ssstill need to...move around." They insisted. An audible gulp resonating through that long fanged maw that ran along their underside. Their gaze averted to the side...Soon returning to the medic uncertainly. "Are you...Hsss...Sick too?" It questioned. Only now actually taking in their details. "With...What's happening? Did you see it too..?"

"There'ssss...Sssomething going on!" The skinless thing exclaimed. "I don't know...Hsss...Wh-what it is...But it doesss weird thingsss to people!" It looked aside, as if struggling to recover their memories and thoughts. "I sssaw...A man turn inssside out! And I ssaw a lady turn into a lamp...A very, very, very angry lamp!" The skinless thing insisted. "...It...It didn't get me though!" It boasted, almost sounding proud despite its mutilated state. "The..dark thing did thisss...Hsss." It slowly looked to the medic once more. "You...Look like it got you. Too many armsss..."

"Oh...Yess...I sssuposssee you're right.." Hesitantly, the creature rested its head on whatever area it had been assigned. Lidless eyes nervously darting around the Tent's confines as it tapped its curved claws together with a silent anticipation. "Hss..." They subconsciously hissed out. Awaiting whatever pinch, stab, or other agonizing sensation might've began the "Surgery" they had been promised.

For once the lack of autonomy was pleasant. They never really "Slept" so being rendered chemically unconscious was an unexpected pleasure. It shuddered for a minute...Thrashed for a second...And then went painfully still. All Three sets of lungs breathing in a steady rhythm. Vertical fanged maw letting out a constant "Snore" that sounded more like the bellow of some monstrous crocodile.

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

That word seemed to strike them like a cold bucket of water. "Amputation?!" It hissed. Neck craning up to stare at the other with that manic intensity. "N-no! I need...Hsss...I need all my limbs! All my parts!" It insisted pleadingly. The unraveled turned to face the Medic entirely after the statement. "I mean... I mean..." Its head craned to look down at itself. Muttering under its breath as it counted. "...S...Seven arms is too many. People only have two! And they have legs!" It hissed out desperately. "I sss...Sssuppossee you could take a few.." their tone was one of reservation and fruitless hope. "...Ooohhh...I'm hopeless, Doc. Aren't I?"

Those hollow eyes stared silently as the Medic acquired their tools. Long bony talons uncharacteristically scraping together with a nervous anticipation. "J...Jussst leave me sssome armsss, alright?" The thing hissed uncertainly. "I ssstill need to...move around." They insisted. An audible gulp resonating through that long fanged maw that ran along their underside. Their gaze averted to the side...Soon returning to the medic uncertainly. "Are you...Hsss...Sick too?" It questioned. Only now actually taking in their details. "With...What's happening? Did you see it too..?"

"There'ssss...Sssomething going on!" The skinless thing exclaimed. "I don't know...Hsss...Wh-what it is...But it doesss weird thingsss to people!" It looked aside, as if struggling to recover their memories and thoughts. "I sssaw...A man turn inssside out! And I ssaw a lady turn into a lamp...A very, very, very angry lamp!" The skinless thing insisted. "...It...It didn't get me though!" It boasted, almost sounding proud despite its mutilated state. "The..dark thing did thisss...Hsss." It slowly looked to the medic once more. "You...Look like it got you. Too many armsss..."

"Oh...Yess...I sssuposssee you're right.." Hesitantly, the creature rested its head on whatever area it had been assigned. Lidless eyes nervously darting around the Tent's confines as it tapped its curved claws together with a silent anticipation. "Hss..." They subconsciously hissed out. Awaiting whatever pinch, stab, or other agonizing sensation might've began the "Surgery" they had been promised.

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

This half-visible thing warped and shifted slightly. Shifting its weight to observe her better. Abstract "Head" peering at the woman's hand...Then to what lingered nearby. Furniture, Random odds & ends...Ahah! Their talon reached into the dark. Long hooked claws wrapping around that walking apparatus before holding it upright for the other. "I...Hsss...Assume this is what you're looking...Hsss...F-for?" That partially visible thing inquired. The finer details of its arrangement still not quite comprehensible.

As the Dark settled and this thing fully "manifested" within her space, its finer details remained muddy, but the vague outline could still be inferred. It was long. Easily Seven or eight feet in length. Its central "trunk" consisted of what looked like three-torsos woven together into something resembling a centipede. All with a Seventh arm stuck on the end like some sort of bizarre "tail." The head of this thing bobbed and wobbled on a long neck. The vague outline of four large primeval looking "fangs" jutting from the bottom of its head. "...Hhsss...Don't you know?" It questioned. Tone warbling between concern and suspicion. "It'ss....Dangerous out there!" It added. "Sssomething's going wrong...Sssomething's gone wrong!" It furthered. Almost pleading. "It'sss....Not safe..." There was a pause. An agonizing silence. "O-oh! I'm so sorry..." An appendage raised itself, motioning to the head. "I'm...You knoww....Ssstill me!" It insisted. "I'm Harmlesss...Hsss..Really!"

"I don't...Think so? I don't know..Hsssk...Really!" It insisted. Though their confused rambling was interjected by Sybil's own seeming...Discomfort? Was it a cut? A bite? Something worse? "...Hsss...Are you...Hhhurt?" It questioned. A low guttural croak resonating from within its bodily cavity. "I'm not a...Hsss...D-doctor but I can try to look at it! Eheeheeh..." It punctuated this offer with an uncertain chuckle. "I jussst want to make sure that...Hhhss...Everyone's safe! People keep turning into thingsss..."

Though partially unseen, this presence did take note of how she seemed to...Sprout new appendages...Or were those there the entire time and they simply hadn't noticed? ...Eh, Better not to pry. "Do you...Hsssk...Want me to look at it?" They questioned. Fanged cranium curiously cocking to the side. "I'm not a...Not a doctor but I might be...Hsss...Able to help?" Their tone was hopeful, desperate even. Eager to try and be of help in some way. "O-oh!" They seemingly paused. "...I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myssself..." "I...Had a REAL name at some point, But I forgot it...People call be Ribs nowadays...And you?" It questioned.

"Yeah I...Hss..." The partially-visible thing hesitated. "...I don't have ssskin." It explained bluntly. Even if there was a small tone of shame in its hissing voice. "Sssomething took it, along with...Hsss...Well, Mosssst of the resst of me!" It continued. A simultaneously hoarse and wet chuckle resonating from the creature. "Pleassssure to meet you. Sssybil..." It finally retorted. Long multi-limbed form quickly backing up a few feet and further into the Dark. "...It'sss...Rare to meet sssomeone...Normal nowadaysss! Hssk.." "Everyone seeemsss...To either be mad..A monssster...or both!" Another slight giggle punctuated this.

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

That word seemed to strike them like a cold bucket of water. "Amputation?!" It hissed. Neck craning up to stare at the other with that manic intensity. "N-no! I need...Hsss...I need all my limbs! All my parts!" It insisted pleadingly. The unraveled turned to face the Medic entirely after the statement. "I mean... I mean..." Its head craned to look down at itself. Muttering under its breath as it counted. "...S...Seven arms is too many. People only have two! And they have legs!" It hissed out desperately. "I sss...Sssuppossee you could take a few.." their tone was one of reservation and fruitless hope. "...Ooohhh...I'm hopeless, Doc. Aren't I?"

Those hollow eyes stared silently as the Medic acquired their tools. Long bony talons uncharacteristically scraping together with a nervous anticipation. "J...Jussst leave me sssome armsss, alright?" The thing hissed uncertainly. "I ssstill need to...move around." They insisted. An audible gulp resonating through that long fanged maw that ran along their underside. Their gaze averted to the side...Soon returning to the medic uncertainly. "Are you...Hsss...Sick too?" It questioned. Only now actually taking in their details. "With...What's happening? Did you see it too..?"

"There'ssss...Sssomething going on!" The skinless thing exclaimed. "I don't know...Hsss...Wh-what it is...But it doesss weird thingsss to people!" It looked aside, as if struggling to recover their memories and thoughts. "I sssaw...A man turn inssside out! And I ssaw a lady turn into a lamp...A very, very, very angry lamp!" The skinless thing insisted. "...It...It didn't get me though!" It boasted, almost sounding proud despite its mutilated state. "The..dark thing did thisss...Hsss." It slowly looked to the medic once more. "You...Look like it got you. Too many armsss..."

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

That word seemed to strike them like a cold bucket of water. "Amputation?!" It hissed. Neck craning up to stare at the other with that manic intensity. "N-no! I need...Hsss...I need all my limbs! All my parts!" It insisted pleadingly. The unraveled turned to face the Medic entirely after the statement. "I mean... I mean..." Its head craned to look down at itself. Muttering under its breath as it counted. "...S...Seven arms is too many. People only have two! And they have legs!" It hissed out desperately. "I sss...Sssuppossee you could take a few.." their tone was one of reservation and fruitless hope. "...Ooohhh...I'm hopeless, Doc. Aren't I?"

Those hollow eyes stared silently as the Medic acquired their tools. Long bony talons uncharacteristically scraping together with a nervous anticipation. "J...Jussst leave me sssome armsss, alright?" The thing hissed uncertainly. "I ssstill need to...move around." They insisted. An audible gulp resonating through that long fanged maw that ran along their underside. Their gaze averted to the side...Soon returning to the medic uncertainly. "Are you...Hsss...Sick too?" It questioned. Only now actually taking in their details. "With...What's happening? Did you see it too..?"

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

This half-visible thing warped and shifted slightly. Shifting its weight to observe her better. Abstract "Head" peering at the woman's hand...Then to what lingered nearby. Furniture, Random odds & ends...Ahah! Their talon reached into the dark. Long hooked claws wrapping around that walking apparatus before holding it upright for the other. "I...Hsss...Assume this is what you're looking...Hsss...F-for?" That partially visible thing inquired. The finer details of its arrangement still not quite comprehensible.

As the Dark settled and this thing fully "manifested" within her space, its finer details remained muddy, but the vague outline could still be inferred. It was long. Easily Seven or eight feet in length. Its central "trunk" consisted of what looked like three-torsos woven together into something resembling a centipede. All with a Seventh arm stuck on the end like some sort of bizarre "tail." The head of this thing bobbed and wobbled on a long neck. The vague outline of four large primeval looking "fangs" jutting from the bottom of its head. "...Hhsss...Don't you know?" It questioned. Tone warbling between concern and suspicion. "It'ss....Dangerous out there!" It added. "Sssomething's going wrong...Sssomething's gone wrong!" It furthered. Almost pleading. "It'sss....Not safe..." There was a pause. An agonizing silence. "O-oh! I'm so sorry..." An appendage raised itself, motioning to the head. "I'm...You knoww....Ssstill me!" It insisted. "I'm Harmlesss...Hsss..Really!"

"I don't...Think so? I don't know..Hsssk...Really!" It insisted. Though their confused rambling was interjected by Sybil's own seeming...Discomfort? Was it a cut? A bite? Something worse? "...Hsss...Are you...Hhhurt?" It questioned. A low guttural croak resonating from within its bodily cavity. "I'm not a...Hsss...D-doctor but I can try to look at it! Eheeheeh..." It punctuated this offer with an uncertain chuckle. "I jussst want to make sure that...Hhhss...Everyone's safe! People keep turning into thingsss..."

Though partially unseen, this presence did take note of how she seemed to...Sprout new appendages...Or were those there the entire time and they simply hadn't noticed? ...Eh, Better not to pry. "Do you...Hsssk...Want me to look at it?" They questioned. Fanged cranium curiously cocking to the side. "I'm not a...Not a doctor but I might be...Hsss...Able to help?" Their tone was hopeful, desperate even. Eager to try and be of help in some way. "O-oh!" They seemingly paused. "...I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myssself..." "I...Had a REAL name at some point, But I forgot it...People call be Ribs nowadays...And you?" It questioned.

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

This half-visible thing warped and shifted slightly. Shifting its weight to observe her better. Abstract "Head" peering at the woman's hand...Then to what lingered nearby. Furniture, Random odds & ends...Ahah! Their talon reached into the dark. Long hooked claws wrapping around that walking apparatus before holding it upright for the other. "I...Hsss...Assume this is what you're looking...Hsss...F-for?" That partially visible thing inquired. The finer details of its arrangement still not quite comprehensible.

As the Dark settled and this thing fully "manifested" within her space, its finer details remained muddy, but the vague outline could still be inferred. It was long. Easily Seven or eight feet in length. Its central "trunk" consisted of what looked like three-torsos woven together into something resembling a centipede. All with a Seventh arm stuck on the end like some sort of bizarre "tail." The head of this thing bobbed and wobbled on a long neck. The vague outline of four large primeval looking "fangs" jutting from the bottom of its head. "...Hhsss...Don't you know?" It questioned. Tone warbling between concern and suspicion. "It'ss....Dangerous out there!" It added. "Sssomething's going wrong...Sssomething's gone wrong!" It furthered. Almost pleading. "It'sss....Not safe..." There was a pause. An agonizing silence. "O-oh! I'm so sorry..." An appendage raised itself, motioning to the head. "I'm...You knoww....Ssstill me!" It insisted. "I'm Harmlesss...Hsss..Really!"

"I don't...Think so? I don't know..Hsssk...Really!" It insisted. Though their confused rambling was interjected by Sybil's own seeming...Discomfort? Was it a cut? A bite? Something worse? "...Hsss...Are you...Hhhurt?" It questioned. A low guttural croak resonating from within its bodily cavity. "I'm not a...Hsss...D-doctor but I can try to look at it! Eheeheeh..." It punctuated this offer with an uncertain chuckle. "I jussst want to make sure that...Hhhss...Everyone's safe! People keep turning into thingsss..."

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

That word seemed to strike them like a cold bucket of water. "Amputation?!" It hissed. Neck craning up to stare at the other with that manic intensity. "N-no! I need...Hsss...I need all my limbs! All my parts!" It insisted pleadingly. The unraveled turned to face the Medic entirely after the statement. "I mean... I mean..." Its head craned to look down at itself. Muttering under its breath as it counted. "...S...Seven arms is too many. People only have two! And they have legs!" It hissed out desperately. "I sss...Sssuppossee you could take a few.." their tone was one of reservation and fruitless hope. "...Ooohhh...I'm hopeless, Doc. Aren't I?"

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

This half-visible thing warped and shifted slightly. Shifting its weight to observe her better. Abstract "Head" peering at the woman's hand...Then to what lingered nearby. Furniture, Random odds & ends...Ahah! Their talon reached into the dark. Long hooked claws wrapping around that walking apparatus before holding it upright for the other. "I...Hsss...Assume this is what you're looking...Hsss...F-for?" That partially visible thing inquired. The finer details of its arrangement still not quite comprehensible.

As the Dark settled and this thing fully "manifested" within her space, its finer details remained muddy, but the vague outline could still be inferred. It was long. Easily Seven or eight feet in length. Its central "trunk" consisted of what looked like three-torsos woven together into something resembling a centipede. All with a Seventh arm stuck on the end like some sort of bizarre "tail." The head of this thing bobbed and wobbled on a long neck. The vague outline of four large primeval looking "fangs" jutting from the bottom of its head. "...Hhsss...Don't you know?" It questioned. Tone warbling between concern and suspicion. "It'ss....Dangerous out there!" It added. "Sssomething's going wrong...Sssomething's gone wrong!" It furthered. Almost pleading. "It'sss....Not safe..." There was a pause. An agonizing silence. "O-oh! I'm so sorry..." An appendage raised itself, motioning to the head. "I'm...You knoww....Ssstill me!" It insisted. "I'm Harmlesss...Hsss..Really!"

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

This half-visible thing warped and shifted slightly. Shifting its weight to observe her better. Abstract "Head" peering at the woman's hand...Then to what lingered nearby. Furniture, Random odds & ends...Ahah! Their talon reached into the dark. Long hooked claws wrapping around that walking apparatus before holding it upright for the other. "I...Hsss...Assume this is what you're looking...Hsss...F-for?" That partially visible thing inquired. The finer details of its arrangement still not quite comprehensible.

The creaking of floorboards grew louder, closer, clearer. And what could be seen were only glimpses of something strange and terrible. Mere snapshots of something abominable as it stepped from the light, and into the dark, and back through again. Glimpses of exposed flesh. Brief visions of something with far too many limbs. Something far too long. But they were only glimpses. Flickering in an out of sight as it drew closer. "Hssskk...C-can you hear me...?" This partially corporeal presence inquired. "Shhhould I...Speak up..?"

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

The multi-segmented thing slowly pulled itself forwards on its numerous limbs. Slick skinless frame producing a wretched squelch as it hefted itself into position. That long skeletal neck bobbing slightly as it turned to look to the medic intently. Those lidless eyes slick with an involuntary mania. "Y-Yess! Monthsss...It was a long time ago...I was stuck. Stuck with othersss...Hsss...But I got out! I can...move places." It explained in that warbling phlegm-choked tone. "I...I heard there wasss...Sssomeone here! Someone that could help!" Only then did it actually pay attention to the details of the other. Their shape, their arrangement, their physiology. "Hsss...Did IT get you too? You still have...Hsssk...Ssskin! And a face!"

With a loud THUD! The centipede-like assemblage of limbs and viscera flopped onto its side. Entire frame visibly deflating as it let out one long drawn out exhale. A great gust of wind resonating from its underside. ...turns out, from the base of its neck to the very underside of its lowermost arm (positioned like a tail) sat a humongous vertical maw. Misaligned and shattered Rib-bones working as fangs & teeth alike. And most pressing...This strange "gap" in their physiology twitched and warped when it spoke. Indicating this was their true "Mouth" in all this. "It...It was a...Hsssk...Thing! I snagged me a few months ago..." They desperately pleaded. "It was...H-huge! All arms, and hands. and feet, and..." They trailed off. Thought seemingly fading before snapping back towards the medic. "It TORE me apart!" It whined. A wet hiss in its tone. "T-torreee...Tore me apart! Put me back together! Changed me! TWISSSTED me!" Its entire body jolted with that last commend. "...Oh god...Ohhh god I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Y-you don't need to know about all that!"

"Hsss...You always seem tired.." That skinned carcass hissed. Pulling themselves off the countertop and onto the floor with a meaty thud. They did seem a little...Larger than usual, but the same in essence. "I worry about you, Spine." Their words cut forth with an uncharacteristic concern. The typical lackadaisical tone of theirs replaced with something uncomfortably genuine. "...You're always tired....Hsss...You're always...Jusssst..." They paused. Lidless eyes shamefully glancing to the side in thought. "...I jussst...Worry that you're getting...Worse." "I know, I know. We're both like this...But still." "...Are you sick? Or is thiss jusst...Part of you?" They grew a little closer. Skeletal head cocking to the side. "Shhhould I ask Sssam for some...Medicine? Maybe you've got a fever...O-or a Cold!"

They wracked their skull for answers, solutions, results...But ultimately found an agonizingly pile of Nothing for all their efforts. They knew about as much about their "state" as she did. And so the unraveled found themselves frustratingly stumped. "...Fff...Fffine." They retorted. Pale skull bobbing along that serpentine neck. "But! I'm gonna be...Hsss...Keeping a closer eye on you..." "I don't want you getting hurt. Or...Worsseee...Losing it like the others." It brought back...Memories. Unpleasant ones. Those that had been suppressed by the unraveling. The sickly smell of disinfectant, the beeping of machinery, the thought of disease.. The Creature let out an uncharacteristic chuff as they snapped themselves out of this involuntary remembrance. "...Sssorry." "I'll just be...Keepin' an eye on you. That's all.."

If he...They? She? Actually had facial tendons or a face. It'd be twisted into a worried grimace. But instead they stared at Spine with that involuntarily manic gaze. "...Okay." Ribs hesitantly mewled out. Long multi-sectioned body awkwardly trundling forth and piling forth in front of the couch like some sort of oversized hound. Torsos curling together like an grotesque grub. They fished an Eyemask from their torso and tugged it over their lidless gaze. Soon drifting into similar slumber. Only feet away from the other.

"Hsss...You always seem tired.." That skinned carcass hissed. Pulling themselves off the countertop and onto the floor with a meaty thud. They did seem a little...Larger than usual, but the same in essence. "I worry about you, Spine." Their words cut forth with an uncharacteristic concern. The typical lackadaisical tone of theirs replaced with something uncomfortably genuine. "...You're always tired....Hsss...You're always...Jusssst..." They paused. Lidless eyes shamefully glancing to the side in thought. "...I jussst...Worry that you're getting...Worse." "I know, I know. We're both like this...But still." "...Are you sick? Or is thiss jusst...Part of you?" They grew a little closer. Skeletal head cocking to the side. "Shhhould I ask Sssam for some...Medicine? Maybe you've got a fever...O-or a Cold!"

They wracked their skull for answers, solutions, results...But ultimately found an agonizingly pile of Nothing for all their efforts. They knew about as much about their "state" as she did. And so the unraveled found themselves frustratingly stumped. "...Fff...Fffine." They retorted. Pale skull bobbing along that serpentine neck. "But! I'm gonna be...Hsss...Keeping a closer eye on you..." "I don't want you getting hurt. Or...Worsseee...Losing it like the others." It brought back...Memories. Unpleasant ones. Those that had been suppressed by the unraveling. The sickly smell of disinfectant, the beeping of machinery, the thought of disease.. The Creature let out an uncharacteristic chuff as they snapped themselves out of this involuntary remembrance. "...Sssorry." "I'll just be...Keepin' an eye on you. That's all.."

"Hsss...You always seem tired.." That skinned carcass hissed. Pulling themselves off the countertop and onto the floor with a meaty thud. They did seem a little...Larger than usual, but the same in essence. "I worry about you, Spine." Their words cut forth with an uncharacteristic concern. The typical lackadaisical tone of theirs replaced with something uncomfortably genuine. "...You're always tired....Hsss...You're always...Jusssst..." They paused. Lidless eyes shamefully glancing to the side in thought. "...I jussst...Worry that you're getting...Worse." "I know, I know. We're both like this...But still." "...Are you sick? Or is thiss jusst...Part of you?" They grew a little closer. Skeletal head cocking to the side. "Shhhould I ask Sssam for some...Medicine? Maybe you've got a fever...O-or a Cold!"