Mr. CEO, You Look Strangely Familiar

Sierra Ainsworth stood up. "Brother-in-law," she called out. "You’re so good to my sister. I hope you’ll always treat her this well."

"I will."

For half the night, the two boys sat there, not daring to move or make a sound.

Until the break of dawn.

As the sky gradually brightened, the two children stared wide-eyed at the behemoth before them, scared half to death.

Their guess was correct. The giant reptile in front of them was a python.

It was coiled at their feet, its triangular eyes watching them, its forked tongue flicking in and out as if it were about to eat them at any moment.

The two boys remained frozen in this stalemate, not daring to move, until afternoon arrived.

Tears streamed down Elmer Grant’s face, but he didn’t dare make a sound.

He periodically glanced at Dylan Grant.

Dylan Grant wasn’t in much better shape.

Finally, Elmer Grant tremblingly uttered two words, "I’m scared."

It was as if he had used up all his strength.

Dylan Grant was gripping his hand tightly, and their palms were already soaked with sweat.

Dylan Grant finally spoke. "We can’t get out of here alive if we just sit here and wait to die. We have to prepare for the worst. Elmer, I’m here with you, so don’t be afraid. It’s just... we might never see Mom and Dad again. They’ll be so sad."

Hearing this, Elmer Grant’s tears flowed even more freely.

Dylan Grant forced himself to look at the python. Regardless of whether it could understand him, he said, "We’re just kids. Please, let us go."

After he spoke, the two children cautiously started to get up, intending to inch toward the cave entrance. When the python didn’t move, they slowly stood all the way up.

They had taken just one step when Elmer Grant let out a piercing, trembling scream. "Dylan!"

Dylan Grant turned and saw the python’s tail wrapped around Elmer Grant’s calf.

It was only wrapped around it.

"Don’t be afraid, Elmer. It’s just playing with you." Despite his words, Dylan Grant’s expression was grim.

He reached over, took hold of Elmer’s leg, and lifted it out from the snake’s coil.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the two boys slowly exited the cave. But to their horror, which only frayed their nerves further, the python slithered out of the cave as well and followed behind them.

When the two children ran, it sped up. When the two children slowed down, it slowed down too.

It kept a certain distance, but every time they looked back, the sight of the terrifying creature made their hearts pound with fear.

Although pythons aren’t venomous, they can eat a dog or a deer. They can even eat people.

The two children sat down by a river and stopped walking.

They ate some of the fruit they were carrying, but their stomachs felt awful.

Dylan Grant had only eaten two pieces of fruit before he threw up. All that came out was a little stomach acid. He hadn’t eaten any real food in days, so there was nothing else to bring up.

He looked up and saw the python lying not far in front of them, its tongue flicking.

"Do you want to be our friend?"

Elmer Grant turned to Dylan Grant in disbelief. "Dylan, it’s an animal! It’s going to eat us! How could it possibly be friends with us..."

Before he could finish, Elmer Grant was dumbfounded.

The python had actually nodded its head.

They hadn’t been mistaken.

"This... is probably a sentient python."

Dylan Grant boldly said, "How about you do a little dance for us?"

Before their eyes, the python actually began to dance with flowing, intricate movements, leaving the two boys with an indescribable feeling.

"Okay, let’s be friends."

As soon as he said it, the python slithered toward them. Elmer Grant jumped up in fright and scrambled back a few steps, but Dylan Grant remained seated.

Sure enough, the python stopped beside Dylan Grant. It looked at him, its tongue flicking, then twisted its head a few times. To their astonishment, it rested its head on Dylan’s calf and grew quiet.

With a trembling hand, Dylan Grant reached out and stroked its head. He had been scared as he reached out, but the moment he touched it, he smiled.

"Elmer, you should try touching it too."

Elmer Grant shook his head frantically. "No way!"

The python must have sensed his fear and hostility, because it lifted its head and looked at him.

Its triangular eyes glinted with a dangerous air.

Elmer Grant’s legs nearly gave out from fear. He had no choice but to say, "I’ll touch it, I’ll touch it, okay? Just don’t look at me like that. It’s creepy."

The python then rested its head on Dylan Grant’s leg again.

Elmer Grant boldly sat down next to his brother, extended his small hand with his eyes closed, and touched the snake’s head.

After just a few strokes, he snatched his hand back.

The sun was setting, and it would be night again soon.

Dylan spoke up, "Elmer, let’s go find some dry wood. We need to see if we can start a fire by friction. If not, we’re screwed."

Before Elmer could agree, the python propped itself up, turned, and slithered away with incredible speed.

Its speed left the two young boys dumbfounded.

They had just stood up to look for firewood when the python returned, its tail tightly coiled around a bundle of dry branches.

Dylan’s eyes lit up. "This is great! I’ll try to start a fire now."

He gave it a try, and after fiddling for a bit, he actually managed to start a fire.

Elmer Grant quickly added more firewood, but the python retreated to a safe distance.

"Dylan, why did it run so far away?"

"Because it’s afraid of fire," Dylan said. "I’m going to check this little river and see if I can catch any fish. You wait here."

Elmer Grant nodded and sat down, feeling at ease.

"Are you a water python? Can you help me get some fish?"

It nodded.

It slid into the water.

With one sweep of its tail, it sent a whole school of fish flying onto the bank.

Dylan Grant quickly gathered them up, wrapping them in his shirt. He then used his hands to gut the fish, found some roots to scrape off the scales, and finally skewered them on branches for Elmer to roast.

Dylan tossed the rest to the python, which ate every last one.

The two children ate their fill. They even cooked some extra fish to wrap up and take with them.

While it was not yet completely dark...

The two boys returned to the cave entrance and peeked inside. There was nothing else in there.

Only then did they feel safe enough to go inside with the python.

"Python, should we give you a name?"

It nodded its head.

Elmer spoke up. "You’re all dark. How about we call you Blackie?"

It looked at Elmer, its eyes flashing with displeasure.

Dylan gave a rare smile. "Blackie really doesn’t sound good. What about... Flower?"

Elmer chuckled. "It’s so huge. ’Flower’ doesn’t suit it at all."

The python gave him another warning look, and Elmer said sheepishly, "Okay, okay, I’ll stay out of this."

Finally, Dylan said, "Then how about we call you Monty? Is that okay?"

The python actually nodded its head furiously. It looked quite cute in its excitement.

Elmer leaned against the stone wall and fell into a deep sleep.

The python slept beside them.

But Dylan couldn’t sleep. He had to remain highly vigilant. A voice in his heart was telling him something very clearly: ’Sometimes, those humans who think they’re so good and righteous are worse than a fearsome beast.’

「The next morning.」

Nicholas Ainsworth came downstairs, holding Jean Grant’s hand.