team . Now they were being asked to increase their output to compensate for the shortfall in personnel . Some had complained that work had trespassed beyond their waking life and taken up camp in their dreams . Greg believed himself lucky to be spared such an indignity , even considering the previous night ’ s ordeal .
Placing his feet firmly on the floor , he steadied himself on the edge of his cot and slowly rose to confront his new self in the mirror . Any thought that he might conceal his change disappeared immediately . As he had suspected , two thick , black cables were protruding from the front of his neck . What he hadn ’ t anticipated was that they had not disappeared under his jaw , but rather followed his jawline up to his ears , which were shrinking and blackening . It was like some unholy thing had taken up residence beneath his sternum and was now stretching out with its inky tentacles into his face . He also had the impression that the contours of his face were being flattened and that his skin was being pulled taut . Whatever was triggering his change , the most he could hope for was a few days before the process was complete .
He had been lost in a tentative exploration of the new borders that were being drawn across his body when his sister Margaret knocked .
“ Greg ? Did you sleep through your alarm , again ?”
Goose bumps spread in a quick rash across his bare arms and chest . The implications this would have for his loved ones had not escaped Greg ’ s attention , but that did not