“This” was in a corner of the section where hardboard, plywood and sawn timber were stored. A tall entranceway hung with heavy plastic flaps led to a staff-only area with a forklift and all the packing debris from the week’s deliveries.
In amongst the debris, someone—something—had put together pallets and boards and cardboard to make a kind of den or a nest. They took turns peeking in through the entranceway. It was a strangely comfortable-looking bolthole, and it had been furnished with items from all over the store... a battery-powered lamp, a picnic set, a lightweight sleeping bag from the outdoor section. And, in the corner, opened packets and a lot of stale cake.
An Elemental in its native shape needed none of these. But the longer it was abroad, the closer it would grow to human fo
