Just barely.

Jane stared warily into those emotionless orbs. The stench of the creature filled her nostrils. It smelled like rotten meat and burning sulfur all mixed together. The smell made the young woman retch. The monster lowered itself to her face and Jane could see deep into its fanged mouth. She still had one arm and one leg free. She hoped she wasn't beaten yet.

Jane unclenched her free hand from the tentacle and maneuvered it behind her back where her daggers waited. Something unidentifiable squished between her fingers as she reached toward her weapon. Soon she wrapped her fingers firmly around the leather grip of the blade. Jane clung tightly to the firm weapon, hoping to draw strength from its unyielding metal. At the same time, she bent the knee of her unbound leg and pulled her foot along the ground closer to her body. She pressed her foot against the stones beneath her pressing until she found a place where her foot did not slip.

The creature's probing in her nether regions began to intensify. Jane could feel the strong limb pressing against the metal chastity belt guarding her womanhood. The long appendage pushed against the unyielding metal between her legs repeatedly, but the garment held fast.

Unable to make progress toward its goal, the creature shifted its attention to the clothing covering Jane's groin. That was when she made her move. Jane set her jaw and pushed with all her strength on her bent leg. The effort made her scream, but she managed to push herself up high enough to slip the dagger from its sheath. The monster abandoned its distraction and pushed forcefully on Jane's chest. The motion caused her to hit her head sharply against the worn stones beneath her.

Still clinging to her small dagger, Jane whipped her arm forward and sank the blade deep into the terror's flesh. The creature screamed in pain and anger as tissue parted and more dark fluid welled forth. It released the woman's sword arm and swung the heavy tendril at her sending the dagger flying across the dark chamber.

The beast clutched at its open wound and looked accusingly at Jane. It dodged a wild attack from her newly freed sword and quickly retreated to the far side of the chamber. The monster growled menacingly at the girl and coiled its slender limbs to prepare for its next attack.