Jim and Abby ventured further into the dark cave, using their lantern to light the path ahead.
"I don't think this is such a good idea, " said Abby.
"C'mon, where is your sense of adventure? I think we are the first ones to discover and explore this cave. Well, the first people at least. I am pretty sure I saw some animal tracks, " said Jim.
Abby shuddered. "And that doesn't concern you? Especially with all those reports of missing people? And strange animals?"
Jim chuckled. "Abby, please don't tell me you believe all that nonsense. Gryphons and Dragons? Next you'll be telling me you believe in Bigfoot, too. I think someone saw him around here, too. Please. We are highly educated. Don't fall for the tall stories of the local rubes."
Jim and Abby were undergraduate college students, exploring the caves as part of a spelunking adventure Jim had planned for Spring Break. This wasn't the first time Abby regretted agreeing to go with him, and it wouldn't be the last.
Sandra watched the young couple slowly work their way towards her in the dark. Their light only allowed them to see a small part of the cave, but her reptilian eyes allowed her to see everything concealed in her dark home. When they were just a few feet from her, she sprang her trap.
"Well, well. What have we here? A couple of lost souls?" said Sandra, in a deep baritone.
"Wha - Who said that?" said Jim, trying to find the location of the voice. It was so loud it seemed to be coming from everywhere at once.
Sandra slowly lowered her head into their light.
"Me, " she said with a wicked smile.
Jim and Abby stared in shock at the sight of the large draconic head glaring at them. It was Abby who recovered first. She grabbed Jim's hand and pulled him back towards the path they used to enter the cavern. With a loud thud Sandra's massive tail dropped, blocking their exit.
"How rude! First, you enter my home uninvited. Then you try to leave without even saying goodbye. That is not very nice, " said Sandra.
Jim stared at the tail in awe. In the darkness, he could not tell how big the creature was. But if the tail was that large, he shuddered to think how big the rest of it was. The weak light of his lantern glinted off the long sharp spikes lining the tail.
"Come. Come forward an introduce yourselves. Don't make me ask twice, " said Sandra menacingly.
Jim gripped Abby's hand tightly, offering what little support he could. He mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' followed by 'I love you.' Abby leapt forward and kissed him. Then they walked together hand in hand to face their doom together.
"Aw, how sweet. Young love. It touches my heart so, " said Sandra mockingly.
"Dragon. This is Abby, my one true love. Spare her, and just eat me," said Jim.
Sandra chuckled. "Listen little man. You are in no position to make any demands of me. What is your name?"
"I'm Jim. And it was not a demand. It was request. I implore you ... no I beg you to let her go. Surely a creature as magnificent as you can find more worthy prey than tiny little morsels like us."
Sandra smiled and leaned close to Jim, examining him closely. "Hmmm. Not just brave, but intelligent. Trying to play on my vanity? Or maybe my empathy? I am afraid it is a lost cause. I feel no empathy towards lesser creatures like humans, even one as attractive as you. But who said anything about eating? No, I want something else."
"What DO you want then?" said Abby, defiantly facing the dragon. She didn't like the way it was looking at her boyfriend. It was like the creature was sizing him up, but for what she didn't know.
"Aww, curt and to the point. I like that. That kind of moxy will help you in your quest. What I want is a box, a box that was stolen from me. Return the box to me, and you can have your precious lover back, "said Sandra, pulling Jim towards her chest with one large paw. Abby tried desperately to hold onto his hand, but the creature was just too strong. She tried to come closer, but the creature effortlessly held her back with its other paw.
"Okay, okay. Just be careful with him. Who has this box? Where is it now?" asked Abby.
Sandra sighed. "I don't know. I last saw it on the farm of a woman from town named Sandra, before it burned to the ground. You can begin your search there."
"What's in it? Why do you want this box so badly?" asked Abby.
"Never you mind," said Sandra angrily. She felt her loins stir. Was this girl's defiance exciting her? Or what is it the feeling of the warm male against her breast? It had been so long. She rubbed her cloacae on the ground, trying to hide its moisture. "It's none of your business. But I guess I must describe it to you to help you locate it. It is a large wooden box with a single large red button on top. Inside are a large assortment of vials. It is imperative that all of the vials reach me untouched and unopened. Do you understand?"
Abby nodded. "Why don't you send Jim? He is much better at this type of thing than me."
Sandra chuckled. "Somehow, I think he would make better company. I am afraid your attitude just rubs me the wrong way. I think if you had entered this cave alone, I probably would have killed you already for your insolence. You better go, before I change my mind. "
Abby started to protest, but Jim stopped her. "Just go. Go and save yourself. I'll die happy knowing you are safe."
Sandra chuckled. "How noble. He really is a good catch. If you want to see him alive again I would hurry. I am getting a little hungry and he looks simply delicious."
Sandra licked her lips with her long thin forked tongue. Abby glared at her, then quickly left the cave.