693 Survive

⟬ One bell later... ⟭ 

Willow cracked open the rotten log with her stone axe, exposing the snake inside to the open air. 

It was actually really pretty, all-black with brown crossbands... and it was probably as long as she was tall. 

The snake coiled up defensively and hissed at her, revealing the white inside of its mouth... 

"(You disturb my resting place, hatchling... How would you like it if you were awoken in the middle of your sleep cycle?)"

It wasn't the first time Willow heard an animal talk to her... but she hadn't talked to any snakes since this sun. 

"Yeah... I'd be pretty upset, too," Willow bared her teeth and slightly inclined her head. "I'm real sorry about this."

"(So you understand me... Hmph. We have no quarrel,)" The snake reared its head back but remained wary of her, "(--but I will not stand down to the likes of a human. Go on, then. Away with you.)"