My Friend Splendid

Chapter One: The Zoo

I was packing things into my favorite purse. I packed a sketchbook for drawing pictures of the creatures we see, a water bottle in case I get thirsty and a BLT sandwich I made myself. "Emma, are you ready to go to the zoo yet?" My brother Jack asked jumpy with excitement "I'm getting ready Jack, be patient!" I told him as he hopped down the stairs. I snapped my purse closed with my thumb and index finger and suited up for the cold autumn weather. I wrapped my Holly Green scarf my Grandmother knitted for me around my neck and I stuffed my arms through the holes in my blue sweater and my vest with the flowers on it. Soon I was out of my cozy bedroom ready to go on to the boring zoo... Jack loves the zoo! He thinks it's an amazing place, I don't. I look at the zoo as a place where I watch animals in cages that are just as bored as I am. Having people stare at them all day, everyday that sounds so uninteresting. I glumly walked down the stairs as my gray tabby kitten Naomi rubbed her head against my ankle "I'll be back Naomi it's just a few hours..." I said to her solemnly. Naomi looked up at me with a look on her face that had me feeling like she was begging me to stay. "Do it for Jack." I thought "It's his birthday after all." I walked to our shiny blue car which had many stickers on it like the Baby on Board sticker from when Jack was younger and the family picture Mom thought looked cute on our car. "I wish I didn't have to sit in this dumb car seat!" Jack said in an annoyed tone, "Relax, you'll be rid of it soon enough..." I said calmly. Mom started up the car, "Wait! Mom isn't Dad coming?" I asked. "Sorry sweetie your dad has to go pick up Jack's cake and everything..." Mom whispered so as to have Jack not hear. "Aw... Darn it!" I said. Mom began to drive out of the garage and into the world to the zoo. I missed Naomi, I wondered if she missed me too. I pictured her cute little furry face. My legs swung back and forth. I was bored, bored, bored. "Mom, are we there yet?" I asked, "I'm glad you asked Emma because we are!" Mom said a big toothy grin spreading out on her face. I saw the sign up above the entrance that read "Greenville's Zoo of All". "Can we see the Rhinos or the Alligators or..." Jack jumped for joy "Settle down! It's not a big deal!" I yelled, "Says you!" Jack stuck out his tongue at me. "Keep your tongue to yourself Mister!" Mom said in a silly voice, "Oh really that's a new rule now?" I giggled. "Yes! It is!" Mom laughed, "You know, I think we should go to the Snake Room!" said Jack holding up the Zoo Map and pointing to a little stone building labeled Snake Room. "Fine..." I said glumly, "Hey Emma, watch your attitude!" Mom said firmly. "Mom, you know I hate the zoo..." I said "I know sweetie but it's Jack's birthday." Mom said in an understanding tone of voice, "Yeah I know..." I mumbled. The automatic doors to the entrance opened with a sound of whirring machinery. On the inside the building was covered in worn stickers of paw prints and claw marks and there was a sound of children Jack's age screaming for joy. "Mom just turn to the... right at the end of this hallway." Jack instructed Mom, staring at his map of the zoo while reading off of it. We reached the glass door labeled Snake Room. Jack grabbed the metal bar of the door and pulled the door open. I saw hundreds of snakes staring at me through glass, little did I know one in particular would change the course of my life forever.