Heather huddled together with Alice and Sharon to discuss their situation. "It sounds to me that Jennifer should know what she's talking about," she said. "Do you think we should go with her?"
Sharon didn't seem particularly interested in the conversation. Her mind was more focused on the note, unable to fathom how the markings on it could possibly have any meaning. The other girls briefly raised an eyebrow at the blonde as she began tearing the sheet in an attempt to see if it could be eaten.
"Uh...OK," Heather said. "Alice, what are your thoughts?"
"I don't really trust her," Alice replied. "For one thing, all we have to go on is her word. How do we know that she's the person that wrote the letter, or that the letter isn't some sort of trap?"
"I know how you feel," Heather replied. "I haven't been able to trust anything implicitly since I woke up in the cave. No offense."
"None taken," Alice replied. "Still, there's something different about her that I don't get from either of you two. I bet she's just making up that story about the water and berries, anyway."
"That could be true," Heather replied. "Honestly, you're right. We can't just go on Jennifer's word alone. We should..."
A scream burst from outside the cabin, interrupting the conversation as Heather, Alice and Sharon rushed to check on the trouble. Jennifer was confronted by a pale woman with long, ragged green hair and a snake's tail in place of legs.
"Mary?" Jennifer shouted. "What are you doing here? I...I haven't seen you since..."
"Ssshut up, Jennifer!" Mary hissed, flicking her forked tongue. "You've tricked too many girlsss with your plansss. No amount of sssacrificesss will sssend you home!"
Alice and Heather listened to the snake-woman's words in shock as Sharon looked on in bafflement. Was Jennifer's entire story just a ruse? "What's going on here?" Heather called out.
"Jennifer'sss ssstory is a lie!" Mary explained. "There isss no barbarian civilization. Ssshe killed everyone elssse. Ssshe'sss mad!"
"And who would trust a snake like you?" Jennifer snapped back.
"You were the one that sssuggested that tunnel!" Mary shouted. "The only consssolation I have isss that I don't turn into more of a beassst every night."
The situation was quickly becoming perilous. Heather, Alice and Sharon stepped back, wondering what to do.
Sat Mar 1 00:10:42 2003