It’s not a human, it’s most certainly not a creature… what is it? I thought creeping along behind the pillar. Suddenly I felt thankful for my soft woolen shoes as the whispered over the crystal floors. All my life I knew I would need survival skills. Everyone told me that nothing bad could ever happen to our city. I tried to believe them, but I couldn’t. Something told me I would need the skill of silence. So now I silently thanked the Lord for his protection. When I breathed I couldn’t even hear myself. I pulled my dark elvish cloak around me and peered out through the dark halls. Whatever it is is coming closer. I rather feel it than see it. But as some light came from above it reflected off its huge black orbs. The light danced like a fire in its eyes. My heart stopped as it seemed to look right at my hiding place. The only thing I dared move was my eyes. I desperately tried to find something, a foothold, or a hidden passage I hadn’t seen before. It was to no avail, so I did the only thing I could. I prayed. And just when It came close enough to smell its hideous smell, it backed away. It’s long curled claws scraped screeching across the ground. The dim light reflected off its black scales. It seemed to be half reptilian and half bird. Its breathing came out in rasps through its blood red beak. Little clicking sounds came from it as it half slithered half crawled away and into the dark. When I felt sure it had left I breathed out. “Where in the world did that thing come from, and what is it?” I whispered quietly jogging through a nearby door.