It pulled itself from the mud and grit, a man-sized, amphibious thing of slimy skin, narrow teeth, and dark, cold eyes.
‘Stay away,’ it hissed, holding out webbed hands tipped with heavy claws. ‘I will fight you if I must!’
The human set aside their backpack and knelt. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you,’ they said. ‘My name’s Eden. I won’t hurt you.’
It lowered its claws. ‘You won’t hurt me?’
‘I won’t.’ They paused. ‘Do you like coffee?’
‘Coffee?’
‘I’ll be right back.’