1. "Hello? David? Nicole?"
No answer. You peer down the hallway. Your head suddenly feels very heavy.
A door creaks open, slowly, from the right side.
A man steps out of the door and into the hallway. His back is to you. He's wearing a black tank top, there is a ripped hole in the back, exposing pale and lumpy flesh with greenish veins. His head is hanging to one side. Medium length black hair hangs from his scalp. You can see his bald spot. Both his arms are wrapped around his body.
You take a small step back.
The man turns.
The face is heavily damaged. It looks like some kind of mush. Strange lumps where normally eyes and nose and mouth would be. Something resembling pus runs from several holes. It is greenish with flecks of gray.
The head lifts, slowly, finally almost upright, then sags suddenly to the other side.
A mouth opens, more of the pus-like fluid spilling out.
"Hello! David Nicole! Hell! Dav Ni Ole! Nick! Davnick! Oh!" he says in a rush, the words clipped and odd and unnaturally cheery.
You take another step back.
He begins to walk toward you. His legs are still bowed, somewhat, and his gait a bit strange. Both hands stretch away from his chest toward you. He has a large pot belly, his shirt not quite enough to fully cover it. You can see about half of his belly-button.
"Hello!" he says, clearer now. He sounds very happy to see you. "I am fine! You are? My name is Nick! Oh!"
Green slime runs from several wounds on his arms and torso. You suddenly realize he isn't wearing any pants. His penis hangs obscenely from the side of his torn briefs. One leg has a huge bloodless gash in it. You can see part of the bone, white against pale flesh.
"You are fine!" he says, and you notice that he has no upper teeth or tongue. The bottom row seems to be in perfect condition. His head rights itself again, and this time stays upright.
Vines suddenly burst from his upper body, emerging from the wounds. They, like his arms, stretch out toward you.
You hear a faint noise like static.
*************************************
1. Time to go. There's enough time to make it to the front door.
2. You've got enough room to swing the poker at his head.
3. Stab him in the chest with the poker. It's about long enough to do it without getting tangled. Maybe.
4. sssssssssssssssssss
5. "Can you... understand me? Can you talk?"
*************************************