They let the thing that used to be Ted Shafer out of his cage the next morning. The clouds weren\u2019t a complete shroud over the camp, but it didn\u2019t really help the light; the sky was the wrong color to begin with.
\nThere weren\u2019t any helpers to clear away muck and detritus from the body — it wasn\u2019t necessary anyway — the last batch of muck (Steven understood that the meant the third batch), was left on until it was absorbed almost completely. The camp then waited to see if the captive lived or died. In Steve\u2019s opinion, Shafer had been unlucky. There weren\u2019t even any needles left to remove.
\nThe tall creature stood before the Shafer creature in the center of the gathering and spoke in its gurgling hiss \u201cYou have lived.\u201d
\nThe Shafer-thing wobbled its head.
\n\u201dYou are part of us now. We are part of you. I am Churkk. You are Zef<\/i>.\u201d
\nThe thing paused, cocking its head as though listening to a distance sound, then nodded. \u201cZef.\u201d It swayed slightly, and several of the creatures came forward to help it to a hut.
\nThe thing called Churkk turned towards Steven\u2019s cage. \u201cIt is the third day.\u201d It gurgle\/growled, and its smile returned.
\nThis time, Steven fought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
They let the thing that used to be Ted Shafer out of his cage the next morning. The clouds weren\u2019t a complete shroud over the camp, but it didn\u2019t really help the light; the sky was the wrong color to begin with. There weren\u2019t any helpers to clear away muck and detritus from the body … <\/p>\n