Zola nodded. "It's nice to meet you, Ecks. Now come." She went to the door and opened it slowly. Behind it was more darkness. I could see the shapes of more doors and a long hallway and some stairs. "We have to go left", she whispered and touched the wall to her left. Slowly she went forwards, feeling her way. I snorted and picked her up.
"Which way", I repeated as she clinged her tiny arms around my neck.
"The Aviary is at the far left from this building, I always see it from my window..." That was enough information for me, and I started making my way along the dark hallway. Zola's fingers ran across my scales.
"What species are you?", she breathed close to my ear.
"Estesia", I replied shortly and kept walking.
"I have never heard of those."
"I'm the last."
We walked in silence, my claws hitting the ground being the only noise, until we reached a staircase leading both up and down.
"What now."
"The doors to the outside are always closed, and only the guards have keys."
"And you couldn't tell me that sooner?", I snapped. Zola flinched. "We have to go back then and get out where I came in from." But just as these words left my mouth, I heard faint footsteps approaching. I froze, then quickly leaped up the stairs, holding Zola's mouth shut. A guard came up the stairs, holding a flashlight. He was human and wore a blue uniform. I set Zola down and climbed onto the railing, crouching and tasting the air. The guard reached the top of the stairs and proceeded his patrouille along the hallway we just came from. My muscles hardened, then I launched myself from the railing and onto the man. He let out a muffled scream and hit the ground hard. I held him down with my whole weight, one hand on his mouth, as he struggled and fought against me. He pulled something from his belt and a sharp pain shot through my leg. In response, I bit him in the hand. Almost immediately his fighting turned into a fight against himself, his muscles cramping and he was foaming from his mouth. I spit out his blood and a few pieces of skin and flesh.
"Zola, come help me", I called her quietly. She came down the stairs to me, picked up the flashlight and looked at me quite shocked.
"Is - Is he -", she stuttered, looking at the convulsing body.
"No, he'll be fine. Probably." I picked him up and placed him against the wall. "Make sure his airways are free." The bitter taste of my venom made me drool, so I spit out again while carefully trying out my injured leg. It hurt like hell, but was fully functional without any injuries. I then started feeling through his pockets. In his hand was a small black device.
"That's an electro shocker", Zola said as I picked it up. "It just hurts and makes us behave, but it doesn't injure us."
"You take it then. You're weak." I opened the man's clasped fingers forcefully and gave her the shocker. And I took a small keychain from his waist.
"Sleep well", I added, and then knocked him out.