A Murky Offering

A shallow basin of stagnant rainwater lured me off the asphalt and into the ditch. There, half-submerged in black silt, bobbed a sodden, pastel yellow felt star with two tiny bead eyes. Disgustingly cheerful, even while decaying. I dragged my heavy paper base through the wet grass, positioned my gaping jaw directly over the damp relic, and locked my gaze into its blank bead eyes. *SZZT-CLACK!* My internal green cams whirred into a theatrical shudder as I clamped down. Cold, swampy sludge squeezed through my mechanical teeth, dousing the cheery intruder in sweet, glorious gloom.