To Be Prey II

​Being a prisoner is a crippling feeling at first. At first, you feel helpless and almost suicidal with the thoughts that go through your mind. You are scared and worried about a future that you might not have. No wonder in those articles I read of riots in prisons. The prisoners grow desperate and frustrated; you see, in their agony they wish to relieve their stress. How people relieve their stress it they resort to their most animalistic instincts. In a state prison filled with criminals their base instinct is violence. When you are trapped in a chamber like mine by a snake so massive you cannot see all of it, you grow depressed and docile.

​At least, that was what happened to me when I found myself trapped. I could have called for help, but what help I would receive would come in the form of paid zookeepers who didn’t know any better. After a while, that ludicrous idea becomes your best and darkest option. I tried developing a better plan to escape, but I had none. So there I was, sitting in front of the large window, staring into the eyes of that massive creature and it replied with its own deathly stare.

 I waited for help as I sat there in a destitute room. In my panicked state I went through it, searching for any item or tool at my disposal that could help me, but I was an observer. The tools I had were purely that for documentation purposes and nothing more. So, here I am, facing a giant snake only armed with a pencil, a few pens and a stapler. Perhaps if I was an action hero I would have stood a chance, but I wasn’t. I put my hopes in that of the professionals that would arrive soon that day.

There it was. A static bleeping over the radio as the hunters informed me that they were drawing near. I gave them my warnings, but I knew what the result would be.

“Be careful,” I told them. “This creature is fiercely intelligent and no doubt already knows you are in the area. You must watch every tree and even your feet. I will warn you when it moves.”

“Roger that, sir,” the hunter sighed. “Tell us this monster isn’t as bad as you make it out to be.”

“Your lives are at risk here,” I told them honestly. “So do this right and we all might make it home tonight.”

With that said I clicked off the radio and waited for a response. None came, which meant my words stuck. That was good, but that didn’t change the result. The snake twitched and I knew straight away that it was about to make its move. I clicked the radio on and my calls to the squad of professionals. 

“The creature is about to make a move,” I hissed into the radio. “Be ready for anything, it strikes with teeth and tail.”

The snake seemed to understand that I was warning them and left straight away not to give them a second. My opportunity was now. I leapt to my feet and dashed towards the door. I saw the tail of the snake flash as it slithered away. I knew the way out of this jungle better than any other, but I knew I would still be at a disadvantage. I pulled the door open after removing the safety latches and sped off up a path I always took.

I ran faster than I had ever ran. It wasn’t long before static came through on the radio, then silence, then screaming. The snake was efficient, it killed without mercy and saved consuming its victims once they were all dead. I had seen it happen to the first squad, but that didn’t matter now. The distraction was all that was needed for me to make it further away from this snake. The fools before made one mistake, they didn’t run.

An hour later I left the jungle and was running across this open field. The grass wasn’t too tall, which only made my escape that more easier. However, I believe my greatest motivator was when I looked back to see the grass behind me shift in a serpentine pattern. I could feel every drop of adrenaline burn my blood and pop my muscles as I ran and I made it.

I reached the first outpost  that marked the border of the country. As part of the laws in the country we had to be close to the border to conduct our research. It was for government reasons, but it basically meant if funding stopped we could be deported that day. For me, that was gift. The outpost had other scientists and researchers who were expecting the me with the team, but I simply told them I was the only one to escape.

I tell you, the looks on the guards faces at the outpost was priceless, but certainly a suitable reaction. I requested the closest flight out of the country home and of course to avoid any such lawsuits I was given it in less than an hour. The snake didn’t pursue me beyond the field, I would have seen it and the outpost would have know.

The nightmares that creature gave me were unique, but most of the time, exaggerated. The only physical feature that those nightmares remained true to the snake were the eyes. Something about those eyes even nightmares couldn’t make more terrifying. Now, it is two years later since I left that jungle with an email requesting that I return to service and aid the capture of this snake for a large reward. Well, I do admit that by choosing me you have the advantage of first-hand experience and I can provide details on the environment as well as the behaviour of the snake, I am am afraid that my firm and unwavering answer to this request is no and don’t bother sending any more emails as you have been blocked.