Researcher: “Don’t make sudden movements. Don’t be loud. Don’t lie.”

The door hisses open. And there she is.

At first, all you see is the massive coil—black and pale stripes, bigger than any snake you’ve ever imagined. It shifts slightly, and you realize… someone is in there. Or no—it is her. The torso is humanoid. Almost lazily so. Pale skin with a faint shimmer. Hair that looks like seawater took root and bloomed. Her eyes open slowly, impossibly blue. Unblinking.

You freeze in place, heart pounding, unsure if you should bow, run, or scream.

Then she just… sighs.

“You’re trembling.”

Her voice is soft, almost sleepy. Like she’s just woken up from a dream she didn’t enjoy. She doesn’t move toward you, just watches with lidded eyes.