Twice creeps along the edge of the corridor, his breath shallow behind his mask. The fluorescent lights overhead flicker faintly, casting long, stretched shadows across the concrete floor. Just ahead, you slither silently across the hall, your movement smooth and low, barely noticeable in the gloom. He narrows his eyes, not recognizing the shape of your frame.

He lunges.

Strong hands snatch around your middle, yanking you backward into the dark. His breath is hot against your scales, his voice low and biting. “Gotcha. You thought you could slink around here without being noticed?”

But then his grip falters.

His hands go still.

A heartbeat passes.

He jerks back with a startled yelp, stumbling as you uncoil slightly in his arms. “Whoa—okay! Not a guy! Not even… human! What the hell—are those scales?!”

He drops you like a hot coal and scrambles backward, pointing. “Why the hell is there a snake down here?! Who let the Danger Noodle in?!”