Snake Bite

I never thought it was possible to be this afraid but, I was wrong. I've been wrong a lot lately. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm Kyle king of the snakes and this is my story of how IT all happened. It all started on a cool October morning. On the way to school, I was walking because my stepdad refused to give me a ride. Deadly mistake. I wasn't even close to school when Tim and Tom Rickenson the biggest bullies in school and there entourage jumped on me and tackled me to the ground. They hollered and whooped jarring me about then they searched me for money. When they couldn't find any they decided to tie me to a tree and come back later. With that they turned back to their hiding places waiting for their next innocent victim. Although I couldn't exactly blame them for being mean, I'd be mean to if my brother and I were named Tim and Tom. I must have sat there for at least half an hour before a nerdy looking grade three kid came rushing down the lane. I manage to break free of the ropes tying me to the tree but I didn't dare budge because I knew the Rickenson brothers were still watching me. Just then they jumped out at the little kid and started giving him the wedgie of his life. The kid screamed and cried but someone duct taped his mouth shut. I saw my chance to get away from there and took it I ran. I heard Tim yelling at me but I kept running the fastest I've probably ever run in my life. For awhile they chased me but they soon gave up. For once I was glad to be on the cross country run team. I must have run at least a mile before collapsing under a nearby tree. Then as I was sitting there thinking I suddenly felt guilty for having left that poor defenceless boy with those bullies. This was weird  for me I usually did my best to not feel anything. That's why I didn't care when my dad left my mom and I, or why I didn't care when my mom married that jerk that thanks to her is my step dad.  I was just sitting there figuring out what to do next when suddenly I heard a loud hissing noise. I was trying to figure out what was making that sound when the answer presented itself a giant snake came out from behind a tree. I've never been one for detail but I can remember every scale on that serpents slimy slithering body. It was huge like nothing you've ever seen before. I once did a project on snakes which was why I knew that this was an undiscovered species. It was at least twice the size of the largest snake ever known to mankind. It had thousand of scales in every different colour imaginable. Then it talked! He said "Lights out your majesty!"  The next thing I know I'm in some sort of dark cave. I'm vaguely aware of the fact that my ankle is throbbing with pain. My instinct is to yell. So I do, that was a mistake because the cave that was silent moments before was suddenly alive with thousands of snakes and a fire comes on as light. They all swarmed toward me I covered my eyes and braced myself but, before one could even touch my toes a loud hissing voice commands "STOP!" all the snakes moved away allowing me to see the owner of the voice a huge snake the very same snake that was in the woods with me. "I am king Schlange ninety ninth ruler of the snakes and you my fellow will be the hundredth king." he said, I went to say something but he just continued "I have not left this cave in 50 years, until today. You have been injected with the royal venom so in a year's time you will be transformed into a snake permanently. If you do not wish to do this honour you can collect the  jewel of Veranderung  and if you do that the venom will be reversed. Before you are allowed to set out on such quest you must spend a month here learning how to be a snake king in case you fail to find the jewel. Then and only then may you set out on a search for the jewel. Do you want to be king of a powerful empire or human? I will give you three days to think it over while you begin basic training. We work in the night it is day now so you may sleep I will wake you when the sun starts setting, we need to start your training soon." and with that he was gone and the fire went out.  " But... I... uh..." I stammered into the dark. " Don't worry," said a tiny girl voice from beside me. "Who...Who's there? Are you a snake?" I asked. "Tini, and no I'm a mouse." replied the voice " Don't snakes eat mice?" I asked "They're only awake at night so I'm safe for now... look I have a proposal, I'll help you out around here and you take me with you when you go on your quest." she said quietly. " Who says I don't want to be king here?" I replied suddenly realising the importants of my decision, after considering it for a while I said "Okay, you're right I don't want to be king of a bunch of slimy snakes, so I'll agree to your proposal. Even thought I don't know why you want to come with me." I don't even know if you're really a mouse I thought to myself. "Great we have a deal." then Tini was gone and I was all alone. I lied there for awhile on the cold hard stone rubbing  my sore ankle thinking about my situation and wondering if anyone even missed me or was looking for me.  I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up to the sound of loud hissing. The same loud hissing from the woods. I sat straight up hitting my head hard on the ceiling. "OW!" I said looking around. No it wasn't a dream I was still in a cave surrounded by snakes but the cave looked so different now that the snakes were up and about. They were slithering over one another some were small like gardener snakes and others were big like anacondas and there were snakes of every colour imaginable! There next to me was the king Schlange "Today you start your training. First you will learn how to speak to crowds for this you will work with Gegabelten Zunge." Turns out speaking lessons was just like English class except Gegabelten Zunge slurred his S's just like people always imagined snakes would if they could talk English. I asked about it and it turns out snakes could always talk English but they didn't in front of people because then they would have had to make an alliance with them or else the humans would declare war on the snakes and the snakes didn't want either of those options.  As the night dragged on I began to think I only imagined the little voice I heard yesterday.  My ankle continued to cause me pain, I figured out it was the snake bite that caused it, and that there was magic in it so that I wouldn't be able to walk properly until my three months were up so that I couldn't run away before my training was done.  But the good news was I hadn't imagined the little voice because as soon as it was day and all the snakes went back to sleep the voice returned as I asked it questions I figured out that Tini would only talk to me during the day because she didn't want to be eaten, and honestly who could blame her. I know for certain that I didn't want to be eaten by these beasts.  After a couple of days doing basic snake drills I learned how to speak to a crowd of snakes and a snake's version of first aid.  All along the way Tini kept on teaching me how to survive a snake's world. Such as what makes a snake angry and what you can say to calm down an angry snake. She also told me all the gossip that was going around about me. Not that I was all that interested in gossip but apparently some snakes had their doubts about my abilities to lead them I had doubts about it too of course that was just another reason to find that jewel.  A couple of weeks went by like this. I continued to learn, mostly because I was afraid of being killed. I mean quite a few of these snakes were venomous, all it would take was one bite and I could be dead. Not that I'm not manly or anything, I just didn't want to die. I continually wondered if my family noticed or cared that I was gone.  I tried asking a small bright red snake to go see them but the snake said there was no need to do that. When I finally got up the courage to question him about what he meant he simply told me because of the magic they would not remember me as long as I was here, no one would but if I found the jewel they would think I had been there all along. So from then on I just hobbled around the cave still worrying about my mom yet somewhat relieved she wasn't worrying about me. But it was my fifth week there when something exciting really happened. I was on my way to learn how to hunt with professor Schwanz when king Schlange slithered up to me and asked if I was to be king or go on the quest for the jewel of Veranderung. I had been thinking about it quite a lot lately because king Schlange said he would come ask me three days after my arrival but it had been five weeks. I was beginning to think he had forgotten about me. But no, here he was just asking the question that would change my life forever like it wasn't a huge decision. I thought for awhile even thought I already had the answer. " I'm going to get that jewel." I said with every ounce of confidence I could muster. "Okay, I'll fill you in on the details of the mission later. As for now you will continue your training but I should warn you no one has ever managed to find the jewel of Veranderung and every king has tried including me it seems no one is eager to be a snake right away but we all come to our senses when... anyway that is why you will finish your training before youleave on your quest." Now as always he didn't give me time to answer him or ask questions before he slithered away.  I stood there staring like a fool until professor Schwanz came to get me and take me to my lesson. Turns out that hunting is actually pretty fun even if it means killing creatures like Tini,who was starting to become a good friend.  That night Tini and I had a long conversation about what king Schlange said she told me of a wise old owl that the snakes sometimes talked about  and we both agreed that I should ask permission to see the wise old owl and ask some questions about my quest. This particular owl happened to be the only owl the snakes came close to trusting so I'd have to step lightly while dealing with the subject. Another reason not to be a snake is they're prey. Have you ever been prey? Has anyone ever tried to have you for dinner? Of course not because no human has ever been through that and lived to tell the tail and I'm not going to be first. You know what surprised me the most I actually wasn't all that uncomfortable living with the snakes, I settled in quite nicely which was weird considering the whole different species thing.  So the very next morning I made my first official  visit with the king he was in his large office. Did I say large I meant huge, gigantic, absolutely massive, it was enormous, gargantuan bigger than the entire snake market and all of the schools and housing. Plus it was filled from top to bottom with jewels and rings and other valuable treasure. King Schlange who was facing the other way turned to look at me and said "Kyle I've been expecting you." I didn't answer at first because my attention was focused on the giant glass safe with the very fancy pillow in it clearly meant to be the place for grand centerpiece but there was nothing there. King Schlange must have caught me starring because he said " That is the place where the jewel of  Veranderung  used to be before it was stolen from us by  a group of vicious racoons. It was the pride and joy of the whole kingdom but know it is gone." Knowing that if I didn't cut in, I might never have the chance to say anything I got up my courage and bravely asked if I could be excused from my lessons for one day to go talk to the wise old owl. He looked at me quizzically it was at that point I realized no snake had told me about the owl.  Luckily after thinking  for a very long time he said "Even thought your lessons today are important I'll let you go. But tomorrow you will be learning how to make valuables to trade with snakes and other animal in this forest. You will find owl lives in the tree you were tied to not so long ago." with that he gave me a look that told me to get going. Limping as fast as I could I  made my way to the entrance of the cave. Having not been outside in days it felt fantastic to breath fresh air.  I don't know how but I seemed to just know the way to the tree. It took quite awhile to get there because I kept tripping in the dark and the further I got from the cave the worse my ankle hurt. Finally I arrived horrible flash backs came to me of the moments I spent getting beaten here flashed in front of my eyes I remembered the look of terror on the little boys face as I ran away from the scene. "Ah, tis' you" coed a nearby voice. " Who's there?!" I said nervously. " Ah, tis' I" the voice said. " You have questions, ask." By now I figured this must be the wise old owl. " Uh... um... yes sir, I... um would... um like to know how I am going to find the jewel of Veranderung."  " Ah, Veranderung well, I can simply provide advice for the long path ahead of you, strength of mind is just as important as the strength of the body, do not be narrow minded and try not to forget who you are inside, you were chosen for a reason even if you don't know why." with that I heard the rustling of wings and was left alone to make my way back to the cave. By now the sun was starting to come up, at the entrance of the cave I stood and marveled at the beauty of light and wondered how I never noticed how important it was before. Then I ducked inside were all the snakes were sleeping.  Having gotten used to sleeping in the day I was more than ready to just curl up and sleep but Tini had other plans for me. " So what did wise old owl tell you?" she squeaked. " Just not to be narrow minded and to try not to forget who I am on the inside." "Hmm, well we'll have to work on what that means any ideas?" questions Tini. "look, all I know right now is that I'm really tired and have a big day tomorrow as always, so I'm going to sleep and we can talk about this later." with that I lied down and was out like a light bulb.  When I woke in the morning a snake was staring unblinkingly at me I sat up a bit self consciously and said "May I help you?" "I am your teacher for today." hissed the snake. "But... but what about Gegabelten Zunge?" "He has other things to do." he hissed. "Um oh uh okay." I mumbled. "Come." I followed the snake outside it was pitch black but I was used to it.  We moved slowly through the forest as I tried to avoid stepping on anyone when we came to a clearing I gasped, there were all sorts of animals wandering around some carrying carts full of berries, nuts and other objects. The rest were just wandering and chatting. " This is the animal market, every animal in the forest meets here weekly to trade for food, or things for shelter. Today you will learn fair trade." the snake said. My lessons were short for once and as my snake teacher who had bluntly refused to tell me his name and I walked back to the cave I still had plenty of energy. When I arrived I was surprised to find king Schlange waiting for me. "The time has come early you are leaving on your quest immediately, you may take nothing but knowledge with you. If you find and return the jewel of Veranderung you will return to your family who will not know you were missing and you will remember nothing of these past few months. If you fail to find the jewel you continue to train and one day become king. There is one other option that has probably not been mentioned to you, if you find the jewel but wish to be king you may. I know at the moment you think that's ridiculous but it's good to keep an open mind. By the way your invisible to humans but not to animals, bear that in mind. Go." Said the king. I had no idea where I was going but looking at the king right then I knew better than to ask. Tini I suddenly noticed was clinging to my pants in an attempt to be invisible. I Turned and walked away quickly into the woods. "Tini," I said quietly once I was sure we were out of earshot "Are you all right?" " Fine." she squeaked. " Good, any idea where to go?" It was at that moment I realised that my ankle which had throbbed steadily for the past couple months had stopped hurting. I smiled ever so slightly before realising I was lost in the forest with a mouse and the only information I had to go on was that it was stolen by racoons probably one of the only animals I didn't see at the market. They probably avoided the snakes I realized. " I have no idea where to go."  I said miserably. "Well it's still night so I better stay hidden, do you mind if I ride on your shoulder it'll be safer." "yeah" I said. I was thinking hard about everything I knew about the jewel when I realized that I should be thinking about racoons. That's when I had an idea. "Tini, racoons used to eat from our trash and annoyed my mother to no end. I'll go wait by my house and maybe the racoons will lead us to the jewel." "Well it's not brilliant." said Tini honestly " but it's the best we've got, let's go." We arrived at my house surprisingly quickly by tracing my steps back to the tree where the brothers beat me up. To be honest I'd much rather the brothers right now over the long journey I knew lay ahead. I remembered that I wasn't invisible to animals which meant racoons could see me, luckily as a child I played lot's of hide and go seek so I knew a perfect place where no one ever actually found me, it was actually under a stump, there was a small cave there where I used to stash all the stuff I didn't want my family to find, like the report card I brought home in grade six after failing math. The best thing about the cave  is there's a hole in the stump just big enough to see the yard out of, but not so big that you can be seen from outside. Tini and I sat quietly in the little hollow for what felt like hours. As we sat in silence a thought occurred to me what if this was all a big lie, what if the jewel actually belonged to the racoons and the snakes were sending me to do their dirty work, or worse if I did find the jewel what if they still didn't let me go back. I told Tini about my worries but she guaranteed me that the jewel was the snakes to begin with, apparently her family had been living in that cave for generations and her great great great great grandmouse had seen the stone while it was being created by the snakes as for the the snakes returning me to my home she had no idea but reminded me it was my only hope. We sat in silence mulling over our discussion and  eventually I heard the sound of scampering paws. I quickly peeked out the hole and gasped as I saw no less than ten racoons trotting across my lawn. There was no way this was a coincidence you didn't have to be a genius to figure out that this wasn't normal raccoon behaviour. Then one the raccoons spoke, "this is stupid just because the king's having his yearly feast celebrating the fact that we still have the jewel of Veranderung doesn't mean we should have to look in twice as many garbage cans to get food." "Hey it's not too bad Marley got put on polishing duty, honestly shinning that jewel for days just so the king can display it!"  "Did you hear that?" I whispered to Tini, who nodded. Still grumbling the racoons moved on, to the next house.           " Okay here's the plan, we follow the racoons staying at least one yard behind them,  the good news is people can't see me so I won't look like a robber creeping around, but we do still have to hide because those raccoons won't like being followed. I don't know what we'll do when they get where ever they're going so we'll just have to wait and see." With that we crept out of the cave, keeping low to the ground we edged our way along the fence line and toward the other side of the yard where the raccoons had ducked under the fence.  When we got there, I found another  problem with our plan, how to get to the other side of fences, I knew Tini could slip under easily, and I could climb over but the problem was that was a sure way to get myself seen. Suddenly I had a stroke of pure genius, I would walk in the front yards where there were no fences and Tini would walk in the back yards and keep an eye on the racoons informing me every time they went to a new house. We followed them like this for at least an hour before Tini came rushing over the fence and told me they had gone into the forest. Cautiously we crept over to the forest, catching just a glimpse of the last racoons tail before they disappeared into the under growth. I followed riskily close behind, they travelled far and deep into the forest. Finally stopping to rest as the sun rose in the sky. We had been walking all night I realized. The racoons curled up to sleep leaving one in charge of watching for predators. Tini and I found a soft spot on the ground not far off, we to decided to have someone keep guard while the other one slept. Tini offered to take the first shift because I had been carrying her all day. I willingly agreed and dropped off to sleep the moment my head touched the ground. When I next awoke Tini was sitting on my chest trying to wake me. For a moment I was discombobulated but quickly figured out what was going on. I nodded to Tini to show that I was awake and she scampered off of me and fell asleep. The sun was now high in the sky. Tini must have been letting me rest for a long time. My stomach growled but I ignored it, this was no time to get hungry. I looked around for the racoons and saw they were still fast asleep. There were some berries nearby but I couldn't tell if they were safe to eat so I just leaned up against a tree and got ready for a long day of boredom.  My day wasn't as boring as I thought it would be, turns out sitting alone in the woods after nothing but business is a very peaceful thing to do. When the sun started to set the racoons began to stir, I gently woke Tini and we stood up gingerly. I put her on my shoulder and we began to follow. The same thing continued for several days, walk at night, sleep in shifts during the day. The only thing that changed was the scenery, the woods seemed to get thicker and thicker the further we walked. Sometimes Tini and I would take a drink from a stream or eat the raspberries growing nearby but mostly we went hungry. After about five days we finally seemed to arrive. There we were walking along like normal when the racoons made a sharp turn and disappeared behind a wall of ivy. Tini and I looked at each other before poking our heads through. I couldn't believe what I saw. At least a thousand racoons were walking around in what appeared to be a huge front yard. But that was nothing  compared to the massive fortress of stone behind them. There were guards out front, the castle was intricately designed with carvings that any famous artist would have been jealous of, what surprised me was that there were all sorts of animals in the carvings, laughing, dancing, fighting, crying. But as I looked around I couldn't see any other animals. I ducked back outside quickly before someone saw me. Tini and I moved back and hid behind a nearby rock. We started to make plans on how to get the jewel now that we were here but we couldn't think of any way to get it without finding our way in. The problem was the whole place was crawling with racoons who would spot us in a second. I decided I needed to get a closer look at the place in order to come up with a plan so I moved forward again and stuck my head through the leaves. I looked for a good hiding spot and noticed a cavern with no one around that seemed to have a good view of the yard. The racoons I realized were setting out tables. This must be for that dinner the racoons were talking about earlier. I went back got Tini and moved to the very edge of the entrance which I realized was very well hidden. When it looked like no one was watching we made a run for it and dove into the cave I'd seen earlier. I peeked out the little gap and saw that no one was looking in our direction which must have meant no one caught us. I looked around the cave, it was small but there was enough space we could both stay here for awhile at least. Tini and I spent the next several hours watching in awe of the empire that stood before us. When the sun started to rise most of the racoons moved inside the giant palace but some guards came out and stood guarding the entrance to the palace. Tini and I decided to sleep for now and plan tomorrow based on what was going on. I woke with a start, Tini was jumping on my front. "What?" I said groggily but she just pointed out the entrance to the cave. I peered through the leaves that kept us hidden, outside every racoon seemed to be moving around, the tables were being set, some racoons were sweeping the leaves off the grass with their tails, others were placing carpets out on the ground. Everyone seemed to have something to do even the children were working. One male racoon wearing a sash with badges on it was standing on a podium yelling instructions. A horn blared out of nowhere and everyone froze. Not a single whisker twitched on the faces of the racoons around us. A long deep blue carpet  rolled out onto the lawn and everyone sank to their knees in a low bow, even the racoon on the podium. Four racoons marched down the blue carpet carrying a big racoon in a throne that looked like it came directly out of a fairytale. The racoon's fur was bright red with pitch black stripes and brushed back, he wore a crown of gold and silk on his head. This was clearly the king, the one who insisted on holding a feast. The racoons gently set him down at the head of the table, he looked so dignified that the rest of the racoons looked ugly by comparison. The racoons that had carried him out had now sunk into the same low bows as everyone else. The king simply sat there looking pompous and pleased with himself. Then another horn went off and out came four more racoons carrying a large display case and inside was the most beautiful and mesmerizing jewel I had ever seen. It was a deep royal blue, it glimmered perfectly, it was practically radiating light. The racoons sat it down on a high podium behind the king. "Rise." he said in a loud clear voice. All the racoons around him slowly rose to their feet. "Sit." he said in the same clear voice. There was a desperate scramble for chairs as everyone settled down at the long tables. It was pretty obvious that the important racoons sat closer to the king and the peasants sat at the outer edges of the yard. Food was piled high all over the tables, but no one touched it, they were all waiting for instruction from their king. "Another year we've kept the jewel of Veranderung safe from those stupid snakes." I felt myself tense up when he said that, I might not like the snakes but I knew they were smart. "At this time of year we put the jewel in the open where everyone can see it and admire it's amazing beauty. Every other year I have refused to tell you why this jewel is so important but I've decided that this is the year to tell you. This stone not only possesses incredible healing powers but it..." the king was cut of by the loud cawing of a crow. The crow I saw was circling above the grounds. It swooped down and landed on the racoons shoulder. The crow seemed to whisper something in the king ear. The king looked shocked then he yelled "There's an intruder in the grounds, they're here to steal the jewel, find them and catch them! You, get the jewel safe!" I never thought it was possible to be this afraid but I was wrong. Tini and I know we don't have much time before they find us here, so we run. We run straight to the exit, I feel the crowd crushing down on us. We get outside and continue running. I see a cliff up ahead, in the spur of the moment I decide to climb it. As I desperately scramble up wards only making it a few metres before falling and having to try again, the racoons are closing in on me and they have an army of crows by their sides. Eventually I manage to get a good grip on the rock and I make my way upwards as I'm nearing the top the crows begin to dive bomb me in an attempt to knock me down, where the fall would probably kill me. I force myself to keep climbing despite the talons and beaks that are stabbing my back. I get to the top and look back noticing that Tini is nowhere in sight. Then I see her, the guards in charge of the jewel have not been vigilant enough because Tini is on top of the case trying to get in.  At any other time I would have laughed at the ignorance of the others. The crows continue to bombarded me, the racoons are making their way up. I now notice that I'm backed up against a rock wall that I can't possibly climb. Just when the crows begin to make their final attack the jewel starts to glow a brilliant green, I feel myself shrink and morph, I try to look at myself I see a long green tail, no hand no feet. I'm a snake. Using this to my advantage I slither into a tiny crevice in the side of the cliff. For the next several hours the crows desperately attempt to get to me, but this  little crack leads deep into the cliff. I slither along for a very long time before I see a light up ahead. I keep moving but more cautiously now. It's sun light I realize. I'm going out the other side of the cliff. As soon as I'm out the hole I feel myself morph again. The stone must have the power to change things. I have to get it no matter what the cost, and I have to save Tini. I walk up the high grassy hill, making far better time now that I'm not slithering. I reach the cliff that I slipped into before and notice that all the crows and racoons have left, no doubt thinking I'd give up after that experience. I can't climb down and Tini needs me so there's no time to go the long way around, I have to jump. Without a second thought I throw myself over the edge of the cliff, instead of falling I feel myself lift up, I'm flying I realize. The wind blows my hair wildly and I smile brightly, I love the feeling of flying. All to soon it's over and without steering myself here I land next to the entrance to the racoon kingdom. I peek inside, there's no one there, the place looks like a ghost town. I feel like this is a trap, I have no choice but to go in. So I do, I walk across the empty lawn and over the doors to the palace. They open with ease. I see no one inside, so I continue down the long low hallway. If I wasn't under so much pressure I would stare at the amazing art on the walls and the handmade carpets.  I walk quickly all around not seeing a soul. Then I feel a tap on my shoulder I jump so high in the air I hit my head on the low ceilings. "It's just me." I look and see Tini sitting on my shoulder. I let out a deep breath. "Where is everyone?" I ask. "They left, you see they thought if you came back here and there was no one here you would leave and go looking for them, the stupid thing is they left the jewel here all alone." she says with a laugh. I smile, "where?" I ask. She hops off my shoulder and rushes down the hall, I follow her rapidly. I gasp, there in the corner of the room hastily hidden is the jewel. I run over and grabbed it, then I turned and ran out of the palace scooping Tini up as I left. I ran for a long time hoping to put as much space in between me and the palace in case they came back and saw we had the jewel. Tini and I found a different way back so that we couldn't be followed taking a whole lot of extra routes to avoid being seen. We arrived back at the snake cave almost a week later. As I walked up I realized it was the middle of the day, all the snakes should be asleep, just the same I slipped the jewel into my pocket. As Tini and I walked up I saw all the snakes swarm outside. Then they moved and left a path that the king slithered down. "You've got it! " he said excitedly. Then all the snakes started to move towards me, I took a step back then stopped. I suddenly realized I missed the snakes more than I had ever missed my mother. "Wait!" I said. "If I change back can I still talk to animals?" The king shook his head. I made a decision then, after all this time I had come to love these creatures, I had come to enjoy sleeping in the day, all the action at night everything about this place. "I want to be your king." I said my voice never wavering. Most of the snakes looked taken aback but the king just looked happy. Then the jewel glowed purple and I shrunk into a snake just like the king. "Welcome, son." the king says. "Son?" I say thinking I must have heard wrong. "You're my son, you were supposed to forget me but when you didn't I realized you were meant to be next in line." "But mom remembers!" I exclaimed surprised that I've already accepted he's my father. "Your mom remembered because of you, now she only knows your step dad, she doesn't even know we exist." Then we go into the cave together, farther and son together again.

That's the story of how I became king of the snakes where I ruled for the rest of my

days.