There was a sound that, if written out, would look something like T W O N G as the line pulled taut and the mudmaid's eyes widened. She had no feet so her tail whipped frantically in the water as she was yanked forward. Her song ended in a loud, unhappy screech.

Maurice stopped walking and stood dumb as a stump for a few seconds before blinking and looking around. Freezing pond water was up to his gut and he could feel mud sinking into his shoes.

"Ugh! What the hell! What--" Then he saw the monster battle happening in front of him. He froze with his elbows lifted out of the water. If he moved backwards he might catch the not-a-hooker's attention again.