Stay hidden!

Deciding it would be about seven shades of completely insane to reveal yourself to the dragon, you opt to remain as hidden as possible. Fighting to control your breathing, you watch with trepidation as the dragon continues to scan the room. To your alarm, it begins dislodging larger rocks with its huge, articulated talons, not unlike a child searching for bugs.

"I am disappointed, little female. But I suppose this island will have its way, won't it?"

You frown, puzzled by the dragon's comment. Perhaps it knows something more about the island?

The great beast narrows its eyes, scanning the chamber once more. You suck in a breath and try to make yourself as small as possible, gripping the surrounding stone tightly to **** yourself back into the rocky niche as much as you can. To your relief, it seems to work as the dragon's gaze passes you by. Letting the air out of your lungs as silently as you can, your good fortune disappears in a flash as your hand slips.

Stumbling, you catch yourself on the rocks a moment later, but the damage is already done. Pebbles shift and tumble, and the faint clatter of metal on stone is amplified throughout the subterranean chamber. With a snarl, the dragon snaps its head around at lightning speed, now hovering mere feet from your hiding place. Its growls seem to reverberate right through your soul, and you can feel its hot breath warm the surrounding air.

"I taste your fear, woman. There is no escape. You are -mine-."

You shut your eyes, fearing for the worst as the dragon's claw comes down with furious intent... only to realise you are still intact a moment later. The beast holds a large rock aloft, searching an alcove barely a metre from your current position. Seeing its attention diverted, you take what appears to be your only chance.

Slipping from your niche as quietly as you can, you make for the nearest tunnel with all due haste. Once in the tunnel, your chances are likely much better -- a sufficiently cramped and twisting cavern should slow any pursuit the beast might give.

Your spirit soars as you are nearly there, almost within arm's reach of the tunnel entrance and relative safety, before you are brought crashing down by a solid impact to your back. Tumbling into a heap onto the stony cavern floor, you can feel yourself being plucked from the ground before you can recover. Now dangling in the air by an almost comically delicate grip on your clothing, the last thing you see before losing conciousness is the dragon chuckling at its prey.