Shadowed Scales

Chapter 21: When Nagas Serve While They Rule

_CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE_

When Nagas Serve While They Rule

"Sameer...."

He shifted in his position, eyes shut. He wanted to move, open an eye to see who was calling him and speak but he couldn't. All he could do was lay on whatever it is while voices were talking over him.

"He's so brave...."

"Will he be okay?"

"Please wake up...."

He wanted to wake up. He wanted everyone to know that he's okay and he could hear them talking. But he can't because his body wouldn't move. Not even a coil.

Sameer was frustrated with himself because he has never felt this lame all his life.

He could feel hands touching his body while voices were a blur. Was this how a coma felt like? The world would roll by while he is stuck in this bed for the rest of his life?

Sameer struggled to live. He wanted to prove to everyone that he is still alive. He wanted to see his friends....he wanted to go to school...He wanted...

A small cough was emitted from his midsection, making those voices back away. When Sameer slowly opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of gentle sapphire eyes of a cat.

It was the camp nurse, a Siamese cat and behind her were his two cabin mates. Sameer noted that their expressions were a mixed of shock and relief. Before he could open his mouth, he was tackled into a hug from Arthur and Beppi.

"We thought we lost you!" Beppi cried, hugging the Egyptian cobra rather too tight. It took Arthur to tap the Tasmanian devil with his wing to give him some release. He mentally noted to thank for Arthur for that.

"I'm so sorry, Sameer. I couldn't block the sounds as we escaped," said Arthur, his cloudy blue eyes were welling up with tears. Sameer wrapped his tail weakly around the bat's shoulder. "I-I could hear you fighting with Counsellor Patel and- Oh, I feel horrible leaving you to fight-"

Sameer stopped him with a slight squeeze. He smiled sadly at his two cabin mates. "No. I should be the one to say sorry. I dragged the both of you to the tunnels when I could just say no. Also, I threatened to bite you when you didn't want to leave with the girls..."

Arthur smiled, shaking his head. "You didn't mean it when you said that. You were scared for us and for you. Counsellor Patel didn't follow us when we escaped."

Sameer wanted to ask more about what happened to Counsellor Patel while he passed out but a cylindrical tube with a funnel was placed in front of him. It has a latex surface covering the funnel.

Beppi cocked his head at the nurse with a quizzical expression. The nurse giggled, tapping the rim of the funnel. "For your friend to milk his venom into the tube."

"Woah, you have venom now?!" Beppi asked, clearly amazed. "Does it hurt? Is it like having a water dispenser you see in offices? Why-"

"Beppi, I think Sameer might explode if you fire more questions at him," Arthur told him gently. Sameer tapped Arthur's back with his tail gratefully. Despite being blind, Arthur sure could tell when someone's feeling uncomfortable just from the slightest change in tone.

"It's okay, I will tell you," Sameer managed to speak without feeling a built up in his throat. "All Elapidaeshave to milk their venom once they can feel them building up in our fangs. We usually sell them at hospitals so that it can be turn into anti-venom, a type of medicine if you get bitten. Only our venom can be used for something useful compared to Komodo dragons or dart frogs."