The skinny probing tentacle slithered silently through a slit in the heat vent, tentatively caressing each object that it came across.

It brushed against the tub of blocks, twining around one of them and picking it up before dropping it noisily against the others in the silent darkness.

It next prodded against the eternally grinning features of a plastic doll, attempting to penetrate into its molded interior. Displeased with what it found, the figurine was thrown clumsily to the floor.

Pieces of a half-finished puzzle were tossed asunder. A bag of soiled, rumpled clothes were hastily cast aside. A music box was uprooted and the miniature ballerina inside started to twist and dance as chimes began to play.

At the sound of music the little girl stirred in her sleep, letting loose a nearly inaudible sigh.

The tentacle shot toward the noise, its ever widening body ripping the heat vent from the carpeted floor. Now nearly ten feet long its tip grazed against the face of the disoriented girl.

She screamed.