Changes perception 4

Rob was slowing down, distracted by something out of Dr. Palma’s sight.

“Rob, arre! Run! We’ve gotta get moving!”

Rob slowed to a stop, turning and walking away.

“I think I’ll go home now.” Rob uttered in a neutral, too-calm tone. His eyes were wide and his movements were sluggish.

“Hey! We don’t have time for this! Let’s go!”

“No, I want to go home.” He continued staggering away from Dr. Palma to something unknown. “I’m going home now.”

Dr. Palma looked back, only to instantly turn his head and start running away. Behind him was that large uneven circular outline. Despite its color mixed in with the pitch black sky behind it, the shape was unmistakeable. Dr. Palma only got a brief glimpse of its slowly waving tentacles and pulsing flesh before averting his gaze and turning to get away. He tried to grab Rob first, but Rob had left Dr. Palma as his staggering turned to uneven, frantic running.

"I’m coming home! Daddy’s coming home! I’m here, bunny!" Rob was choked up, exclaiming his utterances between labored breaths and tears of joy. "I’m here, my sweet Matilde! Daddy’s here!"

And then the yelling stopped. Dr. Palma knew it meant Rob was gone, into the fleshy orb that had devoured him whole. It only made him run faster to the nearest door, with the looming bridge close. He sprinted with all his might, trying as hard as he could to not turn around, to not see if the black growth was approaching him, gaining on him. He grabbed the heavy bridge door and slammed it shut.