• Upstairs •

The monster drifted off the lip of the jar and glided across the laboratory to land on the bottom step of the stairs that led upward to the house.

The shadow clumsily followed behind it, darker than the darkness in the room, more silent than complete silence and alone in the tragedy of its servitude to evil.

Then the Hawkline Monster flowed like a reverse waterfall up the stairs. It sparkled and reflected as it moved. The shadow followed behind it, a reluctant complement of darkness. The Hawkline Monster stopped at a dim space of light that shined under the laboratory door.

It was waiting for something to happen. The light of the monster was now almost surgical in its perception. It looked under the door and down the hall.

The monster was anticipating something about to happen.

The shadow waited behind the Hawkline Monster. The shadow wished that it could look out underneath the door to see what was happening, but, alas, its role in life was only to follow and so it detailed itself right behind the ass of the Hawkline Monster.