Startled, Elisa struggled until the voice interrupted her and she lay still in the tentacles grasp. It was wet, slick and slimy with...and then the pain hit her. Bella hadn't been punished for charging at Elisa, after all. There was no rule against threats, only actions.

The slimy appendage dropped her with questionable gentleness and Elisa immediately crumpled around her middle. She couldn't remember the time it had hurt this bad, and was too caught up in pressing back the blood to concentrate on anything so trivial. It was like an obscene red mouth had sprouted on her stomach. What was it they said in first aid? Apply pressure to the wound with both hands.

Goddamn, she was tired of this place already.