The Amphiblets Read Online Free PDF

hideously ugly face: deformed, bulging eyes, a wide upturned nose and broad mouth that suddenly gaped open. It had human-looking teeth that were bent at bizarre angles. Its back was severely hunched and its legs were twisted into a peculiar a shape.
    ‘What is it?’
    ‘Call Geoff, he’ll know. He was an animal expert before he joined the force.’
    But minutes later, when Geoff showed up, he too was completely astounded.
    ‘I’ve seen nothing like this in all my life,’ he said, watching as the creature blinked and tried to retreat further into the cage. It appeared to be shy and nervous.
    ‘You don’t think we’ve found our murderer, do you?’ came another question.
    ‘No, this one moves too slowly compared to the one last night – that one moved with lightning speed. Besides, this one’s in a cage.’
    ‘Perhaps there’s more than one,’ someone suggested.
    While the conversation continued, another officer was busy exploring the adjacent room, concentrating on the papers that covered the desk. He had already come across various newspaper clippings concerning people who had gone missing and, most importantly, he had found a black notebook filled with drawings of people going through what could only be described as a metamorphosis of some kind. Names had been recorded along with dates and times. It was all here in this handwritten journal. Penny was mentioned, although her transformation hadn’t been so drastic.
    ‘I’ve found something!’ said the officer. ‘I don’t think that’s an animal in there.’
    ‘Of course it is,’ said the others. ‘What else could it be?’
    ‘I think it’s a human, or at least used to be.’
    ‘I don’t understand.’
    ‘Here, take a look at this,’ he stepped forward and showed them the brown leather journal.
    ‘Well, I’ll be…’ came the stunned reply. ‘The Professor was abducting people in order to experiment on them!’
    They turned once more and peered into the cage. It seemed impossible to believe that the deformed creature staring nervously back at them could have actually once been human.
    ‘The poor fellow!’ they murmured, finding it hard not to stare.
    Minutes later, Geoff was called to the cellar where he explained that they had found something similar upstairs, which they suggested might once have been human.
    Since the abnormal creatures might be dangerous in their present state, a request was made for four sizeable cages to be brought to the mansion to transfer them to the mainland. Then perhaps they could begin to find answers and in turn provide comfort for the poor creatures and help them recover – if help wasn’t already too late.

8
The Decision
     
    Eight Years Later
    In the heart of the Midlands, safely tucked away in the countryside and shielded from view by beautiful woodland, stood an old house. Thin vines of ivy grew everywhere, twisting their fibrous hooks into each available space, until they covered the brick walls and the roof entirely, like a disease. It was as if the owner wanted to hide the house from everything, including helicopters.
    In a study, an old man, with a long straight-pointed nose and wild grey hair, was busy organising his papers. Today was an important day and he wanted to make sure everything went according to plan. He checked his watch. He would be receiving a phone call soon.
    A few minutes later the phone rang on time.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘ Professor ?’ It was a man’s voice.
    ‘Yes?’ The Professor glanced behind him to make sure no one was listening.
    ‘ Have you thought any more about what I proposed? ’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘ And? ’
    ‘I will sell only one, for the same amount. That’s my final offer. Take it or leave it!’
    ‘ I wanted all three. It’s not fair to separate them. ’
    ‘Take it or leave it,’ said the Professor once more.
    There was silence for a brief moment. ‘ You drive a hard bargain. I’ll take one. Which one will it be?’
    ‘I haven’t decided. They are all