XIX
This
is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! you tell yourself. I can’t
miss this!
Bit by bit, the creature hauls itself
out. It is a hideous black animal that
somewhat resembles a wolf. It stands on
four powerful legs with claws longer than your whole hand. Even on four legs, it is taller than you. It has no jaw, but there is a round,
closing-and-opening mouth filled with jagged teeth. Hug globs of saliva fill its jawless
mouth. Two bulging eyes seem to have
been glued lousily onto the sides of its head.