The Canvas Maw

I slithered over the cabin threshold to escape the cold mountain dark. Right across the cedar floorboards lay an open canvas duffel bag, its heavy brass zipper yawning wide! *Click-snap!* I reared my horned snout, flared every dorsal plate in savage defiance, and clattered my fangs at the gleaming metal teeth! The beast held utterly still. A conquered hollow! Tucking my pectoral fins tight, I wormed my articulated body into the fleece-lined cavern. Dark, sheltered, and smelling of dry pine smoke. I curled my tail against the soft flannel lining, resting my chin squarely beside the brass zipper.