Continuing their search aimlessly yielded nothing. If they kept it up, they wouldn't die from snakes—but from suffocation in a forest fire choking them with smoke.
"Tyler." Brandon called out. "I know screaming attracts snakes, but if I don't, this search is pointless. No one will know we're here, and we won't find anyone."
Tyler looked at Liam. It was Liam that warned against screaming after all.
Liam wanted to say they should pull out. But Chris—the self-proclaimed tough guy—would have a fit. So instead, Liam gave a reluctant, "Okay."
"Thanks." Brandon patted his shoulder. "Alright, everyone, be on your guard. HEY! IS ANYONE OUT THERE?!" He coughed a few times, his voice was growing weaker as the journey wore on.
No cries answered, only hisses.
"James."
"Got it." James dispatched a snake crawling down from a nearby tree easily. Unfortunately, another emerged from the bushes below. It lunged up and sank its fangs into James's exposed arm.
"Tsk."
"James!" Brandon yelled as the snake's bite sank deeper and James struggled to shake it off.
"Get it off him, dumbass!" Chris barked at the rescued man standing nearby, who froze instead of helping.
With a furious swing, Chris sent the snake flying off James's arm, but the bite was already deep—black veins spreading fast.
"Shit. He's wasted."
The snake returned, undeterred by Chris's hit, and leapt toward the male survivor with deadly speed.
"Kill it!" Chris shouted, but fear froze the man again. Instead of fighting, he ducked—and the snake's leap continued toward Brandon behind him.
The snake opened its jaws, fangs gleaming in the firelight, mere centimeters from Brandon's eyes.
Chris killed it just in time, but the close call made Brandon flinch hard and fall to the ground.
James's body was now veined black. Tyler caught him before he collapsed. "Shit," Tyler muttered as James's eyes rolled dark.
"Look what you've fucking done." Chris grabbed the man who'd ducked by the collar and shook him. "Brandon could've died because of you. A hundred of you aren't worth one of him. James did die, because you just stood there like a coward when you could've killed the snake on his arm."
"Hey! Stop it!" Tyler shouted.
"Stop what?!" Chris sneered, locking eyes with the man in his grips. "How do you call yourself a man?"
The male survivor said nothing, eyes closed, accepting the scolding.
"He can't even look me in the eye." Chris released him, and he crumpled to the ground.
"Stop..." Brandon muttered from the floor, palm covering his face, still shaken from the near miss.
"You too?!" Chris pointed his branch at Brandon. "This dickhead dodges dangers, leading to everyone else around him get hurt. That snake would've bit you if I hadn't been there!"
"We shouldn't waste time on this," Brandon said, sitting up. "Our survival matters more. Let's focus on heading back."
"Huh?! We'll never make it back with this dead weight." Chris looked at the man again. "And don't forget, we've got a 'bitch' to protect." He jabbed the branch toward the silent rescued woman.
Tyler wanted to argue, but Liam squeezed his shoulder. "This argument is already too loud. The snakes might come."
"We won't make it back with this helpless asshole," Chris said, grabbing the man by the throat again. "Guess I'll wake up your fighting spirit."
He punched the man square in the face, knocking out a tooth.
"Guys!" Tyler tried to warn them about the approaching snakes.
"Stop! What are you doing?" Brandon rushed to break up the fight, but it had already started.
"Come on! Don't be a pussy. Learn to fight!" Chris taunted as he advanced.
Provoked, the man swung back, but Chris dodged and countered with a jab to the ribs.
"ARGH, you fucker..."
"There it is. Your first words as a fucking man."
The man kicked Chris's abdomen, pushing him back, then grabbed a branch from the ground.
"HARRRHHH!" He swung it with both hands at Chris, who raised his arms to block. The branch cut Chris's arms, drawing blood.
"Damn it!" The man swung again, but Chris dropped his guard and jabbed his fist into the man's nose. The branch clattered to the ground.
"HAHAHAHA!" Chris laughed wildly. "NOW YOU FINALLY KNOW HOW TO FIGHT!"
"STOP! CHRIS!" Brandon stepped between them.
"GUYS! SNAKES ARE COMING! WE WERE TOO LOUD!" Tyler shouted urgently.
Suddenly, the trees' canopies rustled violently as venomous snakes rained down.
"Shit! Everyone, look up!"
"Goodbye, world." Liam thought grimly.