“AHHHH!” Ethan screamed as he plunged into freezing water. He turned to Haru, soaking and furious, “Why. Did. You. Walk. Through. The. Bush?!” Haru had walked through the bush, knowing full well that there was the river behind it.


“I’m sorry! It’s like a dolphin thing or something…” Haru trailed off as Ethan glared at him.


“A dolphin thing.” A voice spoke from the trees. Ethan looked at Haru.


“Was that you?”


“Ummm no!” Haru replied, a little alarmed.


“Idiots.”


“Haru!” Ethan looked really freaked out by now. Haru slowly turned, searching for the source of the voice. The voice found him.


“Ugg. You guys are gonna get your selves killed if you’re really that stupid. I’m up here” Both Haru and Ethan snapped their heads toward the canopy. A teenager about Haru’s age leapt down; she had spikey black hair and yellow eyes, like a snake’s. Her apparel consisted of mostly black and she had a Goth look to her. She landed gracefully next to Ethan. Ethan didn’t look happy about that.


“I’m Athanasia. I believe that those morons that call themselves “The L.A.B” are trying to get you killed.” She hesitated for a second. “But I don’t think it’s worth it. I’ll let you live. And I’ll go with you. I’m The Snake.”


“Wait… what?” Haru could almost feel the information trying to squish itself into his brain.


“Arg! You guys are all the same! Let’s just go….where were you headed to?” she briskly asked.


“Um. We were going to find my cousin Connor.” Haru awkwardly answered. He was observing her, seeing her pale skin, not so full lips, rather flat image.


She raised her dark eyebrows. “You mean the wolf kid? The one that, like, escaped with the leopard girl and he owl? And stop looking at me like that.” She bared her teeth and Haru jumped back. She had pointy teeth!


“Umm, what do you mean wolf kid? He has short, light brown hair, light blue eyes and freckles. Is that the ‘wolf kid’” Haru asked. He knew Connor had always loved wolfs but how did Athanasia know that and where did she… oh no… “You- Connor- L.A.B- oh no!” He gasped “Connor got trapped in the L.A.B didn’t he?!”


“I do believe you just described the wolf boy” Athanasia answered lazily. “And you put the pieces together. Is that one a moron, too?” She looked at both of them, who were each equally confused.


“Um. Do you mean me?” Ethan inquired.


“That would be a yes.” Athanasia said. She squinted at the sky, and added, “This way will take you to Connor.”


“How do you know? Inquired Ethan. Looking a little freaked out by the new girl.


“I watched Connor escape with two others. He traveled south. The sun is there.” She pointed at the sun, a little to their left. “And it is after noon. The sun sets in the west. So the sun is west. Use that to find south.”


Ethan and Haru’s heads were spinning, and only Haru understood what she was saying.


“Ok…well let’s go that then…” Haru looked a little stunned still. Who was she? I guess we’ll find out when she turns on us.


And with that, the group marched south, towards Connor.