Ethan watched as the creature, which had seemed on the verge of collapse, suddenly sprang to its feet with a nimble backflip.
"Eee-ooh-ooh-ooh…"
It began gesturing wildly in a flurry of bizarre movements. Ethan paused, taken aback by both the sudden appearance and the stranger behavior of the animal. It was hard to make sense of any of it, but at least it didn't seem hostile. He wondered if it might have any companions lurking nearby.
---
"Dot… what's wrong… Dot…"
As Ethan was lost in thought, Nora's distressed cry pierced the air. Everyone flinched, startled by the sudden outburst. Dot, nestled in Nora's arms, had started to convulse, foam bubbling at the corners of her mouth.
'Just my luck,' Ethan thought grimly. 'What I feared most is happening.'
He stepped forward quickly, gently prying open Dot's mouth and sliding a spoon crosswise between her teeth to keep her from biting her tongue.
