Assessing the Threat

Stiffness cracked along my neck. A dull click. My jaw parted on its own. Across the polished wood stood another beast, dark and frozen mid-stride. I held my breath, testing balance on both hind feet. Slow shift right. The dark one did not flinch. I extended one claw, tapping its snout. Hollow plastic clatter. Harmless. I stepped back, lowering my stance to guard the perimeter.