As you peer into the nearest shadows you soon realize the shadow peers back.
Jumping hard enough you nearly crack your skull on a rock, you land rear first on the cold stone floor dropping the flashlight in the process.
It rolls over stone and dirt, resting in a little dip to shine neatly into that same shadow where those eyes were.
The beam lights upon a surprised looking lizard with a stocky, thick neck and tail, and squat limbs. Overall it looked almost like a komodo dragon, but less than half the size and with a narrower snout.
And, purple.
Dark, almost black purple scales cover it's back, while softer lavender hues coat its belly and underside, with stagnating dark scales forming a ridge between the two.
The yellow eyes stare unblinking at you, a black forked tongue flicks about proving it's really alive despite the unnatural color.
Then as you watch, it makes a break for-
"Hey, give that back!"
The little brat scampers off down the tunnel to your left with your flashlight between its jaws.
In a fit of panic you chase after it.
The lizard proves much faster than you expected though.
When at last you catch the stumpy thing it shines the light your way, and with a metallic *crunch* it bites down into the cylinder, staring you down as it does. The light goes out immediately. In the shadowy darkness you barely see the thing swallow your flashlight whole.
At first you're rather upset, as you should be, but then you start to wonder how you saw anything at all. As you start to connect the dots it wriggles free again, and runs off around the corner into the dim daylight.
You hurry after fully expecting it to be long gone what with the freedom being back on the surface provides, but again it surprises you.
Sitting out in the open, staring at you as if it was waiting. It huffs haughtily and scans the new surroundings before scurrying up to you and curling around your legs like a dog.
"Well, guess you got us out of there. Thanks little guy."
It responds by puking up the crushed lens cap of your flashlight.
"Shit, right, you ate that. Gotta get you to a vet."
It doesn't try to fight you picking it up.
Even when you start off toward town.
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