An Unexpected Encounter

It was getting late, the orange of the sun was bleeding through the trees.  After a long day of tracking, and ultimately capturing her target, Rozelyn couldn't wait to get home.  It wouldn't be much longer but she could feel the weight of  her rifle getting heavier and heavier with every step.  The chirping of crickets would soon fill the air.  She walked along the wooded path, taking in the last rays of sunlight, longing for the comfort of her bed.  

Suddenly she heard a rustling.  Roz paused, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as he listened intently, but she heard nothing.  She shrugged and began walking again, and again she heard the rustling sound, this time coming from behind her.  She turned around, and quickly watched something disappear again in the underbrush.

Rozelyn, filled with curiosity, stepped as slowly and quietly as possible towards the brush.  She reached her hand out to pull the brush aside, and as she did, a large snake-like being emerged from the shadows of the forest.  Rozelyn fell back, surprised.  

“Surprised? Are we?” The serpent chuckled.

“Now what’s a pretty thing like you, doing out here, at a time like this?” The Serpent purred, he slithered out from the shadows of the forest, into the dappled orange light. 

Rozelyn could see him more clearly now, he was human…ish, with the body of a snake, spotted with a variety of different colors. He was large, towering above her.  He was built, muscular, with sharp amber eyes that almost glowed in the dim light.  Rozelyn got back to her feet, brushed herself off, and composed herself as best she could before speaking.

“What are you?” She asked.

“Why, I’m a serpent of course.  Don’t you have eyes?”  He replied, sounding a little offended. “I might ask the same of you.” He said slyly, looking Roz up and down.

“Well, if you must know, I am a Lopilu.” Rozalyn replied, hoping the name didn't make her seem soft.

“Oooh, what fun! I can't wait to tell the others of you colorful little hooved, bunny things!” He said, delighted.

“I’d prefe…” Roz started.

“Oh dear, it seems I'm getting ahead of myself…you still haven't answered my question, hmm?” He said circling her.

“I was just leaving.” Rozelyn stated bluntly. She began to turn.

“Just leaving?” He replied, thinking.  “Well, that’s no fun…” 

“Yeah, well, it's been a long day…”Rozelyn said, trying not to give too much information to this strange creature.

“Well…you best be careful, there are many things out here just waiting to snatch up a pretty thing like you.” The serpent said, circling around Roz.  The serpent was making Roz quite uncomfortable.  

“I know these woods well, I can handle myself.” Roz said, in an attempt to end the conversation.

“If you’d like…” The serpent began, obviously ignoring what she said. “I could guide you back to safety, it’d be such a shame if that beautiful tail of yours got ruined in a tussle.” He said. “Or perhaps, snipped off and sold to the highest bidder…” He continued, grabbing a fistfull of her tail.

“Get off me!” She yelped.  Instinctively she grabbed the gun off her back.

“Now I don’t know who you are, but I certainly don’t need any help from you!” She said intensely, pointing her gun at the serpent.

“My, my…you’re a fiery little one.” He smirked, raising his hands and backing up a few feet.

“Are you always this insufferable?” Roz asked in a flustered tone.

“Depends on who you ask…” The serpent trailed off.  He was silent for a minute, obviously thinking about something.

“Fine, I will leave you alone, but you best be on your way, pretty thing…you may be akin to these woods during the day, but the monsters come out at night darling.” He said.  

“Like I said before, I was just leaving.” Rozelyn stated again, lowering her weapon.

“Oh well, I hope we meet again…” The serpent said as he slithered back into the trees.

Rozelyn watched him leave. What a creep… The sun was almost completely gone, only a faint red glow remained in the sky.  Beneath the treetops, the forest was near-black, aside from the fireflies, flickering a soft yellow every now and then.    A chilly breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the distinctive scent of autumn leaves. Rozelyn slung her rifle over her back and continued down the path.  Others? What exactly were they? And more importantly…where did they come from? Was there a new realm?  Rosalyn had gotten so lost in thought that by the time she realized, she was already out of the forest, and she could see the familiar skyscrapers of Nightglade city towering in the distance.  Rozelyn couldn’t wait to share what had happened with her friends when she got home.