Buzzing rattled at the hollowed-out remains of Daniel’s ear. Less ear now that exposure, dog bites, and gunshots that just missed had done their work. More cavern entrance at the side of his face. If he could still form coherent thoughts beyond a single word (“Brains. Brains. Brains.”) repeated over and again, he’d wonder if the rest of him looked as bad.

FWIP. The black creature must have found the entryway appealing. Fuzzy feet and a fat little body vibrated, tickling his ear canal. Daniel’s drawn-out moan shifted modulation for a moment, producing something you could mistake for a chuckle.