Chapter 137
"Nope." Mandy shook her head.
Michael gave a slight nod. "Good to hear."
"Hey, Rachel, where are you headed?" John's voice boomed right after Michael finished talking.
Michael's eyes instinctively followed Rachel. She was making her way to the nearby creek.
Rachel called back, "Just gonna wash my face."
"Watch out, don't fall in," John warned.
Rachel stopped, rolling her eyes. "The creek's barely ankle-deep. You think I'm that clumsy?"
John chuckled. "Just looking out for you."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll be back soon." Rachel turned and kept walking.
Michael watched them, his face showing clear annoyance. Mandy, standing next to him, noticed his mood. She knew he was jealous and bit her lip.
"Interesting," Joseph muttered, watching the group from a distance with a smirk.
"Michael, I need to wash my hands too," Mandy suddenly said.
Michael glanced at Rachel by the stream and hesitated. "Let's wait until Rachel's done." He didn't want Mandy and Rachel alone together. Not because he didn't trust Rachel, but because Mandy's other personality could show up anytime.
"But my hands are all sweaty; it's gross." Mandy showed her palms to Michael.
Michael looked at her damp hands but still shook his head. "Just hang on a bit longer."
"Fine," Mandy sighed, looking a bit down.
In the past, seeing her like this would've softened Michael. But now, he felt nothing. Rachel had his full attention. Thinking about it, Michael's eyes followed Rachel's back, his gaze intense.
"Michael, come here for a sec," James called out from a distance.
"I'll be right back," Michael told Mandy.
Mandy nodded. "Go ahead."
Michael walked over to James. "What's up?"
"I need to tell you something," James said with a sly grin.
Mandy watched them, wondering if James was badmouthing her. But she didn't care.
"Just gossip. I can always make Michael not believe it," Mandy muttered. She smirked, then headed towards the creek.
Rachel had finished washing her face and was touching up her makeup with a mirror. Mandy squatted down about ten feet away, dipping her hands into the cold creek water. She smiled at Rachel. "Ms. Williams."
Rachel glanced at her, didn't respond, closed her mirror, and got ready to leave. Mandy understood and didn't push it. She really just wanted to wash her hands. Any move here would be noticed by Michael and the others, causing trouble.
Rachel dried her hands with a handkerchief, stood up, and picked up her bag. Mandy's eyes caught sight of a black snake coiled on a branch behind Rachel. The snake was poised to strike, its cold eyes locked on Rachel.
Mandy almost screamed but quickly calmed down, a plan forming. With so many people around, it was hard to make a move, but she could use the snake. Her eyes narrowed, and she suddenly stood up, shouting, "Ms. Williams!"
Rachel instinctively froze at Mandy's shout. The snake, spurred by their sudden movements, recoiled and then lunged straight for Rachel's neck.
Seeing the snake about to strike Rachel, Mandy's grin widened. But then, Ella's urgent voice cut through the air, "Rachel, duck!"
Rachel didn't know what was happening, but she heard the panic in Ella's voice and quickly ducked.
The snake flew over Rachel's head and landed on Mandy. Mandy screamed in terror. The snake, agitated by her movements, bit her neck and then fell into the creek, swimming away.
It all happened in a flash, and no one had time to react. When Michael and the others arrived, they saw Mandy fainting on the ground.
"Mandy!" Michael's face tightened, and he rushed over to support her.
John hurried to Rachel. "Rachel, what happened?"
Rachel, still in shock, couldn't find the words. Ella finally spoke up, "It was a snake. Rachel was almost bitten by a snake."
"What? A snake?" John was shocked and quickly checked Rachel over, his face full of concern. "Rachel, are you okay?"
Even though Michael was holding Mandy, his eyes were glued to Rachel. Rachel shook her head. "I'm fine. It was Mandy who got bitten."
"Thank goodness," John sighed in relief. "As long as you're okay, Rachel. As for Mandy..." He glanced at her and muttered, "Serves her right."
"Shut up!" Rachel elbowed him, signaling him to be more considerate.
Michael's expression darkened. He wanted to scold John, but seeing Rachel's reaction, he held back. "Michael, check where Mandy got bitten," Joseph reminded him.
Michael looked down and saw two nasty puncture wounds on Mandy's neck. James swallowed hard. "Michael, could it be venomous?"
Michael's eyes widened, and he tightened his grip on Mandy. Joseph stroked his chin. "The wound doesn't have black blood, so it might not be venomous, but we can't be sure. Michael, you should get her to a hospital for an antivenom shot."
Without hesitation, Michael picked up Mandy and ran towards the cable car. As Rachel and the others watched the cable car disappear into the mist, they found a place to sit and wait for its return.
"Rachel, how did you end up with that snake?" John handed Rachel a bottle of water, curious.
Rachel took the water but didn't open it. She shook her head. "I have no idea." She hadn't seen the snake before Mandy got bitten. It all happened so fast.
"Let me explain." Ella raised her hand. Everyone turned to her.
Ella began, "I was heading to the creek to wash my face when I saw a snake on a branch behind Rachel. The snake wasn't going to attack, but when Mandy suddenly stood up and shouted Rachel's name, she startled the snake, and it lunged at Rachel."
"So the snake was originally going for Rachel?" James asked, surprised.
Ella nodded. "Yes. I told Rachel to duck, and the snake ended up on Mandy and bit her."
"This is so dramatic." Joseph laughed.
Rachel finally understood and gratefully took Ella's hand. "Ella, thank you." If it weren't for Ella's timely warning, she might be the one in the hospital now.
"No need to thank me; it's because you trusted me enough to listen. Otherwise, my warning would have been useless," Ella said with a smile.
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