082523b

Ringer

I thought it was a geode like the others: full of crystals, or lined with them, bright points that would glitter in the sun. I tapped it with the rock hammer and it split cleanly in half. Yellow fluid ran out, exposing a curled and spiny thing, mottled black and green, huge eyes shut. Its limbs were folded over its belly. I leaned in to examine the critter—it was like nothing I'd seen before. It had six limbs, six toes on each foot, and it almost seemed to have opposable thumbs.

its eyes opened
and locked on mine
“Mother?”