Dustin tightened his fists as his friend's voice was abruptly interrupted, and he muttered a curse under his breath. With lightning speed, he whirled his gaze to the bed, intending to order the baby snake to vanish. But it had already slithered away. He sighed in relief, grateful at the baby snake's thoughtfulness.
"Dustin?" Xanth's frown deepened as he entered the hospital room and caught sight of Dustin's grim expression. "What the hell are you doing inside a patient's room? I have been scouring the whole hospital looking for you." Xanth's heavy-lidded eyes betrayed his exhaustion as he spoke.