My reptile 🖤 · Y/n story by @nessa

It was a Tuesday. The kind of Tuesday that felt like it had lasted a week already. You were fumbling with your keys at your apartment door, a grocery bag dangling from your elbow, when a voice cut through the hallway’s quiet.

Security Guard

Miss? Excuse me, miss?

You turned. A building security guard—Frank, his badge read—was standing a few feet away, holding something long and black and distinctly serpentine at arm’s length. It was limp in his gloved hands.

Frank

Found this one curled up right outside your door. Nearly stepped on it. Thought you should know, since, well… it’s your door.

The snake lifted its head. It was a sleek, glossy black, with intelligent, dark eyes that didn’t look particularly wild. In fact, as it regarded you, its head tilting slightly, the expression in those eyes was… oddly plaintive. Almost pleading.

Frank

I can call animal control if you want. They’ll probably just… you know.

The snake’s gaze didn’t waver from yours. It gave a slow, deliberate blink.