The Hollow Step

Dirt yielded beneath my claws. Ahead, a massive wooden riser blocked the path back toward the deck. Too tall to step over. I lowered my skull. Charged straight into the dark board. Thump. The entire structure boomed like a subterranean drum. A deep, hollow roar rolled out from under the planking. The wood held firm, but the sound shook my jaws. I backed up two strides, dug my hind claws into the gravel, and struck the heavy plank once more. A tremendous rumble answered back. Good territory.