he light dimmed, and there was a barely audible electrical crackle.
Outlines of objects vibrated unsteadily, conveying an impression that they
might loose their integrity and vanish at any moment. An extreme movement of
air lacking an obvious source made itself felt. Incensed beyond restraint, the
single occupant rose up several metres and split into two.The two new occupants regarded each other in silence. Neither attempted any claim as to being the original occupant: each regarded itself and the other as being entirely new entities. One crouched and brought all of its extremities together on the floor just in front of its body. The other reclined, forming itself into as straight a line as its shape would allow. Both saw what the other saw. Both felt those things that the other was feeling.
A round, metallic object was embedded in the carpet - at first very apparent from its cold surface, but soon difficult to detect as it was warmed to body temperature. A high-pitched, wavering hum could faintly be heard, perhaps emitting from an electrical source somewhere inside the house. A tickle in the throat, instigated by the dry air, brought about a mild coughing fit in both occupants. An inwardly originating chill conjured goose bumps from out of smooth flesh. Fingertips tingled with a sudden infusion of blood. Teeth ached. A soft warmth, like the tender underside of a ground-dwelling mammal, caressed the instep of a motionless foot. Tiny sparks, illuminating little more than themselves, flared briefly. Air particles collided continuously.
In time, a third occupant made itself known. The other two could not
have been more surprised.
M2a(4)