Hidden Fangs

A new Encounter

      The world was cold and quiet despite the steadily setting sun that still allowed its rays to spread across the forest and dance among the abundant leaves and stretch beautiful hues across the sky as it succumbed to the lullabies of nature. In this world, a small being, unseen in the long-cast shadows, slunk between trees and roots, assaulted by the dropping temperature as it gripped at its lungs and slowed its movements.

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      'This is bad, very bad. I can't survive too long like this. Where on earth am I, what happened to the sun? I need to warm up soon.'

      Troubled thoughts plagued a small serpent as they dipped through the forest, nervous and lost in its brand new environment. His body was unused to such environments, being slowed by the seemingly icy air that coiled around him and assaulted his muscles, causing him to struggle with his movements. The forest floor, littered with leaves and stones poked at his underbelly and caused discomfort to the shadowy creature. The breeze cut through his scales like an array of sharp knives, jabbing him with further pain from the cold. If he stayed in the environment much longer, it would surely kill him.

      As he slunk through the foliage, he became more and more lethargic, pulled back by the binds of exhaustion. His observation began to falter, mistakingly colliding with trees and rocks as he reached the top of a steeper hill. His focus was so jarred that he couldn't hear footsteps behind him, padding up to the weakened reptile. It was only the aggressive growl that pierced the air just before the attack that attracted his attention.

      Sharp pain exploded in his side as red pools of rosy blood were violently spread by the yellowed teeth of the canine, matted and patchy fur covering their body as their predatory eyes gleamed with the wish to kill. However, in a single moment, the serpent twisted their head and unhinged their jaw, brandishing shining white teeth against the inky black mouth that spelled the canine's demise. In an instant, the creature yelped, pulling away from the serpent as corrosive venom began to course through their veins.

      The assailant instantly retreated, scurrying off in a pathetic attempt to escape their inevitable demise to the neurotoxins that were now mixing in its blood. It'd be lucky to survive 20 minutes.

      Adrenaline seised the now wounded serpent, pulling them to move through the brush in search of safety, coasting down a steep hill and pulling a cascade of dust and dirt down with him. He paid it no mind, moving towards a thick wall of plants and trees woven together, wedging himself through the roots and branches that aggravated his wounds, only focusing on his search for safety. 

      Soon enough, the darkness opened into a wall of tall grass which the creature quickly moved into in order to relieve the pressure from his wound, not noticing the being that was stood in the center of the small clearing. Instead, he weaved through the green fronds, beginning to calm from the adrenaline rush. However, his panic set in once again when he felt pressure behind his head, restricting the movement he needed to bite the unknown assailant. His tail thrashed as he tried to pull himself from the pressure behind his head, causing a pitiful amount of blood to drip from his injury due to his prior blood loss.

      As he hissed and thrashed, the creature above him seemed to tense, not knowing what to do before leaning forwards and whispering some quick hisses into the serpents ear.

      "Please calm down, I want to help."

      The sudden words were enough to stun the serpent and allow the being to grasp his weakening body, picking him up and pulling him close to had him under a sea of some sort of black fur, blocking out the view of the grass as he began to move. He didn't know where he was going or what was happening, but a comforting warmth settled over him, and he could feel a comforting texture through a thin material by his side.

      Snakes did not learn trust, family, or comfort. But in an instant, the serpent could trust this being. this being of is kin. the being who brought him comfort.

      In an instant, he knew that it was his role to protect his kin. and this was the last thought that lingered as the calming unconsciousness passed over him and lead his breathing to slow. He swore at that moment, as his consciousness was fleeting, that when he survived, he shall repay his debt to his kin.