Description

Behind Alpha One, several of the red rock outcrops began to stir. One rolled over and into a more upright position. Something approximating eyes rose up on short blue-purple stems and popped open.
Abruptly what had appeared to be limp, blue-green seaweed strands draped across the boulder rose up and began waving in the air. A creaking, clacking sound came from the top of the creature. Within seconds the rest of the ‘boulders’ had moved into the same vertical position, multiple eye-stalks swiveling to look after the humans moving down the beach. As they grew more active, their color intensified and deepened, becoming more plum-hued than the brick red they had appeared only moments before.
More clacking was followed by soft ripping sounds, as thick root-like appendages were pulled from the firm-packed sand. Minutes later, at least a dozen of the creatures crept down the beach in Alpha One’s wake...
...Stalking.

~Stephanie Osborn, Division One book 5, Trojan Horse