Really, it was probably for the best Thomas didn't have to think of a comeback to the short-haired girl's insult - he was never much good at that sort of thing on his best day, and this was most certainly not that. The best he could have done probably would have been a high-pitched waterlogged sob. Of course, being killed by the pale monstrosity that emerged from the rocks wasn't much better.

Thomas had just managed to get his sword out when the mumbler head-butted the monster to the ground, the sound of snapping bones apparent.The blade was still dripping and he had trouble keeping his grip on the soaked masterpiece, but this was what he was here for. There would be time enough later to wonder where it had come from, what it was, or how it was mimicking their voices - for now, it was a threat, and he would not, could not, allow his charges to be threatened. Thomas gritted his teeth and advanced on the prone form just in time for it to surge back up, snapping at the one who'd laid it low.

Without thinking, Thomas rushed forward, slashing wildly at the monster and trying to interpose himself between it and its target. He meant to shout a mighty warcry, something to get the beast's attention, but all that really came out of his mouth was a burst of shrieks and high-pitched curses. He stumbled and scrabbled on the sand, trying to keep the blade between him and the monster, weighed down by waterlogged clothes. At last, he found words to shout at the others on the beach. [color=8dc73f]"Get behind... get behind me!"[/color]

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the nearly-naked woman charging off into the darkness, yelling about chasing the child and getting answers. [color=8dc73f]"Don't [i]leave![/i]"[/color] he screamed after her. [color=8dc73f]"That's the [i]opposite[/i] of securing the perimeter!"[/color]