22
The swim to shore seemed shorter than the trip out: maybe the pain was distracting me. My hand throbbed as the salt water swished in and out of the wound. Finally, I got in close enough to get to my feet and walk to shore. I was exhausted by the time my toes left the water, and I collapsed to my knees in the sand.
“I smell blood,” hissed a voice in the trees.
“Me too,” came a sibilant reply.
“Think she’ll give us a taste?” One of the snake men slithered from the trees.
“We could always take one.” Its twin followed. They kept their bellies low to the ground as they moved towards me, flanking me on either side.
“f**k off, guys.” I glared at them.
“Just a little taste?” The creature’s tongue flicked rapidly in and out as its body stretched to meet me.
“Yessssss. Just a lit
