Suddenly, another rustle echoed from above.
From the tree directly over the squirrel.
His senses tingled, but before he could even turn his head—
A flash of green dropped from the canopy.
A long, slender snake with shimmering emerald scales and a short, sharp horn protruding from its forehead shot downward like a falling spear.
The snake landed directly on the squirrel's back, its body moving with terrifying speed. In a single fluid motion, its tail coiled tightly around the squirrel's torso, locking it in place.
The squirrel shrieked.
A high, desperate sound that pierced the heavy air of the forest.
It thrashed wildly, claws scraping against bark and soil, trying to break free. Its tiny body twisted and writhed in panic, but the coils only tightened further.
The snake's horn glinted faintly under the filtered sunlight.
Then—
It struck again.
Its jaws snapped forward and sank into the squirrel's neck without mercy.
