Snake Boy

~ Chapter Two ~

{Possible trigger warnings: mild swearing

If I miss something, I apologize and please let me know

Patton and Roman provided reconnaissance in the form of a video that they formatted like a vlog. Virgil offered to help sneak in and keep a lookout for guards (his exact words were "anarchy always has been my favorite form of expression"). Roman even reluctantly got his brother involved, and Remus was brought in as their getaway driver.

Logan tugged the dark beanie he'd borrowed from Virgil lower, covering his forehead. He was very pale, so covering as much skin as possible was ideal.

"Misconduct never looked so good, L." Virgil teased as they got out of the car. Logan rolled his eyes and shoved the taller teen.

"What do you think the odds are they've got guards?" He asked quietly as they approached the large fence that the circus had put up. "They are planning on packing up tomorrow."

"Guards, yes. Cameras, no." Virgil smirked. "We got this, c'mon."

He took off across the field, and Logan sighed before following him. 

Virgil paused at the fence and turned to Logan, interlocking his hands and offering him a hand up. "Just peek over first, then we'll figure out what to do from there."

Logan nodded and pushed himself up on his friend's hand, peeking over the top of the wooden boards.

He couldn't see any guards in the immediate area, and there was a tent right in front of them that could offer cover.

"I don't see anyone, and when we land we should be out of sight."

Virgil nodded. "Alright, over you go."

Logan brought one foot down on the ground to give himself a second boost and hopped up again, feeling Virgil heave him up and over the fence. He dropped to the ground on the other side, landing as quietly as he could and moving out of the way.

Virgil hauled himself over the fence with a bit of scrabbling, and dropped down next to Logan.

"Which tent was he in?"

"The big one, over there." Logan pointed, taking Virgil's wrist and tugging him over a bit so he could see. 

"Right, let's go."

Logan grabbed his arm as he started off. "Wait! We need to make sure we won't be seen."

"That's why you should follow me a few feet behind." Virgil nodded. "If someone sees me they'll see me first, then I can draw them away while you get in there. If it goes south, go towards the back gate and text Roman that you need a distraction."

"Are we sure this will work?" Logan frowned.

"We're gonna find out, but you've got to try to see if it works." Virgil took a deep breath and looked at him. "Now lets go before I have a full on panic attack."

"I don't see why you offered to do this." Logan shook his head. "You're sure you can get through it?"

"I'll be fine, I can deal with it if it happens." Virgil took off before he could say anything else. Logan huffed and gave him a few yards of clearance before following.

They made it to the tent with no issues, and Virgil peeked inside.

He made a face as he pulled away. "There's a guard inside... Stay here and stay out of sight, okay?"

"Why? What are you going to do?"

Virgil grinned and darted into the tent. Logan heard shouts, then his friend came running back out, sprinting away as a large man in uniform chased after him.

He peeked around the corner once they were gone. No one was left inside, but he could see a figure in the cage.

Logan crept into the tent, slowly approaching the large bars. He pulled out the key Roman had given him, because the boy had noticed that the lock on the cage was a large bike lock that happened to be identical to the one he used.

If that didn't work, he had a pair of miniature bolt cutters. As he stepped up to the lock the figure inside scrambled to its feet.

The snake boy stared at him, eyes wide. They were closer now, and Logan could see that one eye was that of a snake's. He wondered absentmindedly how that changed his vision.

"Can you understand me?" He asked quietly.

The boy blinked once, then slowly nodded.

"Can you speak English?"

A small head shake.

Logan grunted and carefully picked up the lock. "I'm here to help you, okay? I'm going to let you out."

The boy backed away from the door as Logan began to fiddle with the lock. The key went in the way it should, but it wasn't turning very well. 

He grunted in annoyance and removed the key, pocketing it. "F*ck this, it's taking too long."

The bolt cutters sliced through the lock and Logan grabbed it before it fell to the ground. He pocketed it as well and tugged the door open.

The snake boy flinched away from the sound, pressing himself against the other side of the cage. Logan frowned and took a few steps inside.

Having an idea, he tugged his beanie off and carefully reached a hand out. "Do you remember me? I was here last week."

The boy hesitated, then moved forward a little bit. He peered at Logan, opening his mouth slightly. Logan saw his tongue flicker a little bit.

"You have a Jacobson's?" He asked, eyes widening. "That's amazing... I mean you no harm."

For several moments, they stood there in silence. Then the snake boy closed the gap and tentatively took his hand.

Logan smiled and pulled the beanie back on with his free hand. "C'mon, I'll keep you safe."

As he led the boy out of the tent, he pulled his phone out and sent Roman a whispered voice message.

"I need a distraction. I don't know where Virgil is, but I'm going towards the back gate."

In a moment he received a text from Roman assuring him that he had it covered.

Logan tiptoed through the grounds, not letting go of the snake boy's hand. There was a security guard at the back gate, but as they approached Logan heard a walkie talkie crackle and the man moved away from the entrance.

He gave it a minute, then tugged the boy's hand.

They slipped out the open entrance easily and made a loop back to where Remus was waiting with the car.