First Snap

Stiff neck cracks. Cold plastic runs hot! Teeth part—click, snap! Below me, right down in the dark cloth valleys. A little one. Lying flat, not moving. I stomp forward, claws digging into the soft ridge. Heavier now. Real weight. I shove its snout with my left claw. Doesn't fight back. Big one stands over it. I hold the high fold. Won already. Back up and watch the shadows.