The Past & the Present (Completed)

Chapter Seven: The Snake Incident

It was a million degrees out, I had to apply sunscreen four times a day and still burned, we didn't get to shower for the duration of the trip, and ultimately came back with a few bone fragments. I wouldn't trade that trip for anything.

Louis' method of finding bones, before he got contacts, was to crawl along the ground on his hands and knees. More than once we told him that was a terrible idea. The region was known snake territory. So he carried the snake stick. We couldn't afford to travel with much, just the basics, so the entirety of camp had a single stick. All thirteen of us. Two separate friend groups on one paleontology expedition for the summer.

"Anybody," Louis voice was very soft.

I had to crawl out of the hole I was in, likely left by looters from previous years.

"Yeah!"

"Not so loud. Em, could you grab the- Oh god. Em, don't get too close. Go get the professor."

Over the ridge Louis was crouched on the ground. Not a full two feet away was a cobra.

Unbeknownst to my friend, cobras can only strike as far as they can fall, in this case it might be close enough to get Louis' hand. But even a small bite out here will be fatal. Rattlesnakes and vipers can launch out much farther than anticipated which is what was terrifying him.

"Just stay still. Try moving your hands back slowly. Slower than the minute hand on a clock," I murmured, climbing back down.

Around the other side I didn't have time to find brush or even a stick. Louis' hands were shaking and the cobra had spread its hood. I crept over, "Keep your eyes on it, don't look at me. You'll know when, get the hell away."

"Em-

I kicked up some dust and the snake spun around. Louis scrambled and I dove. His shouting brought the entire camp to us but by then it's all over.

My hands were shaking violently but the snake and I were both alive. Terrified, but alive. I got it just behind the head in my hand. The rest of it coiled around my body but unlike pythons or boas it couldn't squeeze hard enough to do any damage, though the sensation is supremely unnerving.

"Oh my god Emily-"

"I'm fine!" I let out another deep sigh, "Is everyone else okay?"

"Of course we're fine ya bloody," Connor and Niamh were red like lobsters, even after I covered them in sunscreen.

"Alright. I'm gonna need some help unwinding this guy then he and I are gonna take a walk away from camp. Alright? Now somebody gently take his tail and we'll start unwinding."

At that point both friend groups decided I was completely insane and the bravest person they'd ever seen.

On a picnic much closer to home Maria came across a venomous snake. This time she had the snake stick but it was a viper.

"Everybody stay back. Somebody call the police, just in case."

"In case of- Emily!" Quentin just about levitated seeing me roll up my sleeves and start down the hill.

"Do you have a better idea? Andrew, Connor I need you two, or someone, to grab their jacket. When I grab this thing by the tail it's gonna spin around. Pull the jacket tight between it and Maria as a barrier. Somebody else get her out."

Down in a ravine by a creek Maria had gotten stuck up to her mid calves in muck. At first it had been funny. We'd all made it up the other side. I could hardly imagine a worse scenario

Slowly Andrew, Connor, Niamh, and Louis followed me. Quentin was still trying to dial the police with his hands shaking like they were.

Everyone hung back as I slowly made my way down. The rattle gave another huge warning.

"Slowly." Andrew and Niamh moved into position with Andrew's shirt. I circled down into the creek and crept over.

I didn't have to grab at the snake before it doubled back on me much closer than I anticipated. Fortunately my friends did as I asked. Unfortunately Andrew nearly slipped. The bank on both sides were muddy and everyone was having a hard time getting purchase.

Instead of waiting I took off one shoe.

"That wasn't part of the plan!" Quentin squeaked.

Waving the shoe was easily distraction enough. Finally the snake lunged again. Its teeth sank into my boot and I yanked it and flung the snake shoe and all.

With the snake far enough away everyone else managed to get out. Louis picked me up piggy back style and carried me back to the car with everyone else.

"Do you like terrifying us?" Andrew sighed, "All in favor of Emily not playing chicken with anymore snakes?"

It was a unanimous vote. I laughed and rested my chin on his head, "I'll stop playing footsies with snakes when you guys stop running into them. Deal?"

"No deal, we voted. You lost. No more snakes," Quentin sighed, "This is why the good, amazing people die too soon. You know what I mean? Animal conservationists, artists, those people."

"And now her."

"Alright alright, I need a new pair of hiking boots then I'll stop playing with snakes."

DISCLAIMER: Do Not I repeat NOT go messing around with snakes especially if you don't know what they are. Your best bet in either situation is to slowly move away. Don't run because you can accidentally run into/ on top of another snake and provoke a fear attack. Walk slowly and calmly away.

If you are bitten, do not try to suck the poison out. This is an outdated and widespread myth. Remove any jewelry or clothing since the skin will swell and this could cut off blood circulation. Get help immediately. Even if a hospital doesn't have anti-venom they are still your best bet for survival.

If you are with other people tell them not to get closer or try to identify the snake. Just get the hell away from it, carefully.

In conclusion! Leave any and all snakes and other venomous creatures alone.

((We fell short of the vote goal yesterday however I will be posting my own drawing of Iulia and Emily before and after her life at Dimitrescu castle later today. Stay tuned! ))