"Hmmm..." Bruce narrowed his eyes...
Bruce knew for certain: no crab could make these noises.
A different beast was approaching.
Slowly… very slowly… the bulging spot drifted toward the shore. The churning water grew darker, almost black, as if the shadow of something enormous was pushing through the depths. The surface cracked open in long lines as bubbles erupted along a widening radius.
The ocean split with a thunderous roar.
Water exploded outward.
A massive shape began to rise.
Long, thick appendages broke through the surface, writhing, twisting, lashing blindly at the air. Each tentacle was as thick as a tree trunk, covered in coarse, armored suckers that gleamed like polished stone. Seaweed clung to its limbs like torn banners. The stench of brine and decay wafted across the shore.
Slowly, the monstrous head followed.
