Soul Music - Tiny Hourglass

When the creature was sure it had got her full attention, it pulled out a tiny hourglass on a silver chain and pointed at it urgently. Against all rational considerations, Susan reached down and opened her hand. The thing climbed on to it - its feet felt like pins - and looked at her expectantly.

Susan lifted it up to eye level. All right, perhaps it was a figment of her imagination.

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Soul Music - p29