Today Alex went to the zoo, one of his favourite places to visit when he wanted some alone time. Going there had always given him peace of mind.
The weather was fair, and a blazing sun helped warm up the zoo's visitors and residents from the chilly air. The day went by as one might expect;
The visitors enjoyed their visit, taking pictures, chatting with friends, and enjoying food. Some ate it themselves, and some were enthusiastic about feeding the animals. Hence, the residents of the concrete jungle were happy as well.
In the evening, there was an emergency announcement in the reptile area. Mainly the snake isle. A snake had gotten out. The announcement had created panic. Alex was in the snake isle at the time of the message and heard a troublesome conversation while standing in line.
'You know the snake that got out. I heard that it's an extremely dangerous one.'
To which the other guard replied.
'Yeah, I know that one. It's a taipan. They say the venom is potent enough to kill 200,000 rats.'
'I heard that too, we might have to kill it.'
Alex heard the conversation perfectly. He knew this was dangerous but had always loved animals.
'I guess I am about to do something really stupid.'
He sneaked out of the line to look for the snake. Luckily, he didn't have to search much. When he was looking through the bushes, a black pipe slithered to him.
'Ouch! What was that?'
Alex saw something black near his ankle. The snake had bitten him hard.
When threatened, snakes can often deal with a dry bite, meaning only injecting fangs and not the venom. That snake, however, wasn't that friendly.
--What's happening? I'm losing consciousness.
He felt fire burning through his veins. He could feel pain traveling through his body and going for his heart.
--I think I'm going to die.
Alex felt his heartbeat rise and kneeled down. He struggled to catch his breath, and sweat formed throughout his body.
The snake thought his work was done and started to slither away but felt something grabbing his tail. Alex had picked up the snake. The venom was only effective for ten seconds. Alex was back to normal, wiping his sweat.
The snake was surprised that his victim was still standing. He bit him again with full force, injecting everything he had, yet, Alex was still standing. He felt a little dizzy and light-headed and nothing more.
'Come on, that's not nice. I'm trying to save you.'
The snake had a deep grudge for humans.
Being kidnapped from his natural habitat just to be displayed in some cage isn't the dream life. Even though he was out of venom, he would still not submit. He wrapped himself around his captor's arm.
The snake was trying to break it, but to his surprise, it was sturdier than expected. Alex saw that as a sign of cooperation since it was not biting him anymore.
'I guess he got the point.'
He stealthily carried the snake to its respective cage, grabbed his body, and pulled it away.
The snake was dumbfounded by the immense strength Alex or rather, a human had. The cage door was open, explaining how he had gotten out. Now scared of humans, the snake accepted his fate in the cage where he couldn't be harmed by such monsters.
The day was over, and night was starting to fall. Alex was returning home. As he walked, he decided to take a detour and traveled left. He started walking in the direction opposite.
As another corner arrived, he took another left turn. He was back when he started making it a complete round trip after doing it two more times.
After confirming his suspicions, he rapidly sprinted into an alley. He was deep into the passage and looked at the opening to find nobody there. Alex was getting tired of this game, to make things easier, he announced.
'Mr. Creepy stalker, please come out now. Look, there is no one here.'
To his amazement, it worked!
A shadow that slowly turned into a man, judging by his body structure, appeared in front of him. He was wearing a hood in such a way that his face couldn't be seen. He spoke heavily.
'Mr. Alexander Dean, you were bitten by Parademansia Microlepidota of the Elapidae family.'
'That's a mouth full, how do you even pronounce that?'
Alex wasn't sure if he was making that name up, or someone was crazy enough to come up with such a long term. The man continued, ignoring Alex's comment.
'You were bitten twice, yet did not need any anti-venom to recover yourself, why is that?'
The man's voice clearly indicated that he was at least 30 years old.
'Dude, I know you are my age, talk normally.'
'How did y-?'
Alex had only hunch backing up his claim, but the man's reaction proved he wasn't far off.
'Who cares? Now tell me what you want?'
The person continued to speak powerfully, but now his voice slightly shook.
'F-fine, I want to k-'
Alex purposely interrupted him again to get him to speak in his real voice.
'Lose up.'
The person, highly annoyed, at last, spoke in his real voice.
'Okay! I wish to inquire how you are still alive.'
It was the voice of a teenager of about 17-18 years old. He pulled back his hood, and the light of the streetlamp showed the fair face of an irritated young British with black hair.
--How did he follow me here and knew I was bitten by a snake? I made sure no one would see me. Even if he did, how does he know my name? How does he know the snake's name?
If that guy was a stalker, he sure was a pro in it. This would be the first time someone openly stalked him. Alex tried to get more information out of him.
'I think it's custom to first introduce yourself. You already know my name.'
The teenager, to show goodwill, responded.
'Very well, I am of the royal family of the house of Windsor, my name is Jason Windsor B-'
'Too long, I'm going to call you, "Stuck up!"'
Alex was testing Jason's patience, and it was about to run out.
'Please do not address me so informally and also…'
Jason raised his voice.
'Let me finish my sentences!'
'If I remember correctly, the Windsor family is the same one where Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen of England, is from.'
'That is correct.'
--I have never heard of a prince named Jason. Even if he's telling the truth, what is someone from the royal family doing here?
This was a very peculiar stalker that followed Alex.
'Why is someone from the royal family here?'
'That is none of your concern.'
'Then I don't need to tell you anything.'
Alex regretted he chose an alley with a dead end. He was confident in his strength, but fighting power wasn't the issue here.
'I am afraid I cannot let you go. All of the information I have gathered leads to you, run away subject. Albeit a side mission, you are still important.'
Those last words made him take this seriously. He checked his surroundings to see if anyone else was there.
'Who are you?'
'I am someone who can help you. I can protect and save you from Jira.'
That was the first time Alex had heard the name after the procedure.
'Oh really, you think you can protect me?'
Alex recognized Jason wasn't someone he could take lightly. He wasn't sure who Jason was and decided to find out.
'I can assure you of full safety. You may not realize it, but Jira will come for you.'
'Fine, I will tell you all I know and listen to what you have to say…if you can catch me, that is.'
'I do not have ti-'
'Ready, go!'