Shadowed Scales

Prologue

_PROLOGUE_

Today's the day.

This was the briefing for those who had signed up for Camp Loch Ness. So far, there were twelve counsellors including himself. The children will be arriving during the summer break, a few months' time from now.

"I can't wait to start the camp! I have so many activities planned and none of you are leaving until you hear me out," a yellow mongoose gushed. It was odd to see her in a dress that one would wear for a fancy dinner party, not for an outdoor-hiking expedition.

He allowed her to be part of the counsellors because she would always have ideas for both the kids and themselves, even if a few were...questionable.

Nonetheless, the young coyote was happy that the counsellors were eager to make the summer memorable for their future campers. Besides them, they had a cook, who was a hippopotamus that seemed scary on the outside but was motherly on the inside.

"Before we start, I'd like to do some in-housekeeping," he announced, pleased that all of the counsellors were eager to hear what he had to say. His yellow eyes caught a dark figure standing near the doorway.

It was their only reptile counsellor, Patel the king cobra.

I'll have a word with him later, he thought to himself. Out of all of their counsellors, the king cobra was the quietest and yet, he was the most popular because of his background in an esteemed dancing academy.

Once he was done with the housekeeping, he made his way to the king cobra. For a snake, he was dark brown with markings on the back of his head that looked like a pair of eyes. From what he knew in biology, cobras puffed out their hoods when they are agitated.

"Hey, I noticed you at the back," he greeted Patel with a warm smile. "Everything okay? I hope I didn't come off too strong during the meeting."

The king cobra chuckled and shook his head. "No, I'm very well, thank you. It's just that..." he wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter the words out. He flared his hood slightly while he coiled his whole body around himself like a shield.

"Hey, it's okay," he assured the cobra gently with a pat on the back. "I know you are new here but you'll learn the ropes. After all, I heard you are popular with arts and dancing. Maybe you can be in charge of that?"

This time, the king cobra looked up at his direction. "I will do my best, Tex."

Tex wagged his tail as a response. Besides the children, he hoped that he was doing a good job to unite the counsellors together. In a way, summer camp was a perfect way to learn and grow from both the adults and children.

With that, Patel slithered out of the door, leaving the coyote all by himself.

He made his way to the mess hall so see their camp cook was busy prepping vegetables. Since he doesn't have much to do, he offered his help. It gave him a sense of goodness and accomplishment whenever he helped someone.

And it is NOT because of his Canidae nature.

"Mind your fingers, doggie," the cook murmured, not looking up from her task. Tex was amazed by her being able to focus on something while giving him instructions. "That was a nice speech by the way. Though I wonder..."

Tex stopped chopping the vegetables and tilted his head at the old hippopotamus. She continued, "That cobra...I don't trust him. You better keep an eye on him if you want to make this place the best place for summer camp."

He was taken aback by her words. Surely she should know that he deserves just as much of a role in the camp just like the rest? Instead, he laughed, wiping a strand of his fur from the food. "Don't be silly! Patel is just shy for all I know. Besides, he's the only reptile among us."

The cook sighed. "Alright but please be careful. Something about him, I don't really like it at all."

Knowing there was no way out of this, he nodded. As much as he doesn't want to jump into conclusions, he hoped he was making the right choice when he promised the cook that he will be vigil.

"I hope this year's summer camp will take off."