Cautiously, it crept toward the steps, as if it could sense the warmth of the human body and the scent of sweat. The man slept deeply, not even stirring when the snake’s cold body brushed against his shoe and began to climb slowly up his pant leg.

The snake moved higher and higher — along his leg, across his stomach, then coiled itself around his arm. Its forked tongue flickered in the air, and its dark eyes fixed on the man’s face.