Tentacle

Paul's tentacles twisted and he reacted at once to the bite of Maya's knife.

He screamed his fury as she cut deeper into the tentacles. The other seven whipped around him and then they slapped Maya with all their strength across her face. The impact of this caused Maya's face to go slack and her eyes rolled up at the top of her head. She dropped the knife and fell face first into a table.

Paul stared at her motionless form for a minute before his Progeny whispered again.

"Run!"

Paul obeyed and walked as fast as he could. He could still feel the agony of his every changing body. And the tentacle that was wounded seemed like it was on fire. He turned left and then right in a series of corridors that made him feel like he was in a maze.

He then heard a loud buzzing sound behind him and then a crash.

"Don't look back," the Progeny whispered.

Paul ignored everything and surged forward eager to be free of his prison. How many hallways were there in this place? Where was the door to the outside world? The crashing and buzzing noises were getting louder but he dared not turn around.  Suddenly there was a door in front of him. He turned it and it opened easily.

In front of him was Lysanna, barring his way from the outside. He could smell the fresh air but he took a step back. Lysanna took a step forward and stared at Paul hard with her strange eyes.

"Paul," she whispered.

His tentacles started to slow down.

"Mother," The Progeny whispered.

"My children," whispered Lysanna sadly. "I have to get you out of here." She put a hand on Paul's arm and he immediately felt relaxed. Yes, it was time to go!

They stopped when they head another crash. Paul gasped as Maya came into view from around the corner. Her face was badly bruised from the slap, but she also had tentacles springing from her back. Each rapidly moving appendage was holding a knife.

"Don't trust her Paul!" Maya shouted and her voice was strange and high.

Lysanna gripped Paul's arm tighter. "She will only hurt you Paul," she said and tried to pull him through the front door into the night.

"Stop!" Maya shouted and grabbed hold of Paul.

The only thing Paul could think of was his Progeny who crying and whispering for its mother.