The cave smelled dank as she pressed into the blackness. Water dripped through the dark, making every surface slick. Her hands and feet were chilled, but she knew it was better than being outside. Winter had not released its grip and cold water was better than ice and snow, not to mention the bitter wind. Her pack dug into her shoulders, laden down with supplies from the city market. In better weather, she would have been home by now, not wandering around a cave looking for a dry spot to bed down for the night.

A noise pierced her thoughts, claws scrapping on rocks. Big claws. She pressed herself against the cave wall, peering uselessly into the black. A gust of warm air rushed down the passage, filling her nostrils with the scent of smoke and rotted flesh. She trembled, sinking to the floor in a little ball, wishing she could turn herself invisible. Another burst of hot air and then the scraping became distinguishable footsteps. Claws clacking on rock and heavy vibrations in the floor.

She put her head between bent knees and wrapped her arms defensively above it. Barely daring to breathe, she waited as it grew closer. She felt its presence, waves of malice and hunger rolled over her.

When it reached her, it paused and her whole world stood still. She tensed every muscle and waited for fiery death. It did not come. Her fear held tight, but her life continued, and she grew curious. When she could bear it no longer, she raised her head. One glowing purple eye stared at her.

She yelped and dropped her head, but still no fire came. She looked up again and the eye was still there, considering her. She unfolded her legs and stood up. Very slowly. The eye did not so much as blink. All reason told her to run before it killed her, but some small voice said that staying put was the only way to live.