By the feeble radiance of the torches, he located the source of the agonized howls. Above the level of the observation scaffold—now a mass of tumbled wreckage—the gummy substance of the outer coating was issuing inexorably through a rent in the shell. Trapped in the deluge was Slinky Link—his face distorted with animal-like terror, one free arm pawing helplessly at the engulfing tide.
Marlin hastily sought a way of reaching him, but before he could salvage a ladder the demented creature was beyond help. His howls abruptly ended in a gurgle as the eruption relentlessly closed over him.
Sally was suddenly very sick.
McGruder, and then DuChane stumbled toward the light.
"Wha—what happened?" came the befuddled question.
"We were struck, of course. Help me get Sally back to her bunk. The stuff—swallowed up Link. Where are the others?"
They found Pearl sitting in a corner with Maw's head in her lap. She was gently smoothing the older woman's brow, which bore an ugly welt. Maw was groaning, but apparently more in fright than pain.
Marlin swept his flashlight over them, decided they were in need of no immediate attention. "Let's see whether we can restore the lights."
In the control room, they came upon Eli's body wedged between two banks of coils, his head twisted in a ghastly fashion. He must have died instantly, his neck broken by the concussion.