"God"

I glanced back at the severed arm, and saw how the bloody, severed end was bleeding out to the sides.  Blood didn’t just trickle down, but seemed to be extending to the left and right, and back up the sleeves.

I watched for a full second as some of that ‘blood’ branched out.

Cut to the Quick 11.10



I lowered myself down until I could see her face, lying in a puddle.  I moved my hand, and her eyes tracked the movement.

The growth, too, moved in response.  Not much, but I could see how it jerked and twitched in a way that had nothing to do with the woman’s movements or the weather.

I pulled my hand back, then pulled my sleeve over it.  I tried again.

Far less of a response.

Reaching into my pocket, I found a Crown bank-note.  Hand still in my sleeve, I waved it in the vicinity of the growth, and saw the twitching movement again.

“Responds to contrasts of light and dark,” I said, my voice soft.

Cut to the quick 11.12