But to his surprise, they released their hold on his leg.
Neither creature struck again immediately.
Instead, both stepped closer, looming over him, regarding him with an intense and silent scrutiny.
At first, Timothy was caught up staring at their glowing eyes, mesmerized and analyzing his next move.
But then one of the creatures let out a guttural, rumbling sound.
The other followed with a slightly less rough tone, almost like tuning its vocal cords.
Then a voice broke through, ragged and halting:
"Why… are… you… Here… human?"
It spoke loudly, as if deaf or unused to forming human words.
Timothy stared at the beasts, astonishment flickering across his face.
Creatures speaking human language were no surprise in his line of work, but these were different.
He was curious, but before he could answer, a low vibration began rumbling through the ground beneath them all.
Both monsters exchanged sharp glances, then suddenly bolted toward the cluster of shelters.
