Serpentine Seclusion

[ctrl+f UPDATE for latest portion]

Edward could only remember a whirling vortex of gritty sand and salty water enveloping him in a tight cocoon, the sounds of rumbling thunder only just reaching his ears through the cacophonous waves. His eyes popped open as he flailed around, gasping for breath.
However, Edward did not find himself drowning in the open ocean as he expected; but rather, he was sat up in a comfortable, if somewhat dirty, wooden bed. Inspecting his surroundings, he noticed that his wet clothes had been stripped away, and the wounds over his body had been clumsily, but carefully, tended to.

Bright beams of sunlight fell through a cracked window, and even through holes in the decrepit wooden walls that encompassed him. This room was entirely unfamiliar to Edward, and had to be the worst accommodation he had received yet on his gap year. Still, this bed certainly beat the sea bed. Just as he began to wonder where the hell he was, how he got here, and who had saved him, he heard the creaking of old wooden boards outside. It was a low, constant, foreboding noise, which approached constantly, but without the reassuring familiarity of footsteps. Before Edward could think about hiding beneath the covers, the cabin door was pushed open with a gloomy creak. A young woman stood there, with shoulder length black hair, and beautiful sapphire eyes on her cute face. Her body was slender, ever so slightly tanned, and somewhat toned. Femininity was clearly displayed on her figure, with wide hips and bountiful breasts hidden under a bra that seemed to be fashioned from leaves. They appeared to be full C cups, if Edward knew anything about the female form.

His knowledge definitely told him there should be a pair of slender, seductive, well trained legs to hold this woman up. This was not the case. From just below her navel, the woman wore another primitive grass skirt, beneath which her body seemed to morph completely into that of a snakes. A slender body, with clearly defined, large, scales, met the floor, coiled into an “S” shape. This inhuman mass was patterned with wide black and white bands, similar to a traditional convict’s outfit. Just visible outside the door was the tip of her tail, flattened into a rudder-like appendage.

Edward recognised these features; they were characteristic of the Banded Sea Krait, a type of sea snake he had grown fairly familiar with over the past few days. They had strong venom, but were adverse to biting humans. Although Edward had heard of monstrous girls with animalistic body parts before, this was the first time he had met one in the flesh, and the extra unfamiliar element did little to calm his worried mind. Upon seeing him seated and conscious, the blue slit-like eyes of the snake woman widened, and her mouth gaped wide open.

“You’re awake?! Oh, please don’t be afraid, I’m not here to hurt you! I saved you, and I just went to fetch more fresh water! I know I look scary, but I’m harmless, I promise I won’t hurt you!” Seeing the nervous woman lick her dry lips with a seemingly forked tongue, Edward couldn’t stay afraid for long. After all, he had met far worse people on this trip already, and being impolite never got him anywhere. His body was in no state to make fight or flight.

“It’s… okay, you just shocked me, that’s all. My name is Edward, what’s yours?” A relieved, yet still trembling, sigh escaped from the serpentine lady. Even though her enunciation was sharp, the delivery of her speech was rough, as though she had not touched these words in some time.

“You’re…? Oh, thank goodnesss. My name is Sophie. Pleasure to meet you, Eddie!” Edward winced slightly. This woman was being a little over-familiar all of a sudden. Sophie slithered closely with her “S” shaped tail wriggling over the smooth wooden floor, with subtle panting accompanying every movement. Holding out a wooden bowl in her slender
fingers, Edward noticed the clarity of the water inside.

“Would you like to drink some water? You really should, Eddie, its important! And don’t worry, it’s fresh, there’s a clean pond near here!”

“Thank you… would you mind telling me where I am? And anything else I should know?”
Reaching out his dirtied arms, covered in bandaging leaves, Edward took the bowl with a grateful nod.

“Oh, of course! Well, this island doesn’t have a name… but it’s a very nice place! There’s a pond, there’s lovely beaches, shady trees, plump pigs… Humans like you used to come here all the time, they built this cabin, see? But, I haven’t seen one in forever… Oh, as I said, I’m a Lamia, but-“ Edward placed the empty bowl back into Sophie’s hands as he interrupted.

“A sea snake type, right? Hmm... interesting… I didn’t think they came on land.” He tried to keep calm about his unusual host by comparing her to a more natural and familiar form. It would be rude to appear scared when she was acting so nicely, after all.

“Well, of course we can! We have to come on land to drink fresh water, and lay our eggs! Salt tastes disgusting! Of course, I much prefer spending time in the ocean than land, it’s so much more relaxing. That’s how I found you last night. What were you doing out there?” Wringing his fingers together, Edward sighed despondently before answering.

“I was on a passenger ferry… There have been awful storms these last few days. I had to jump onto the last lifeboat by myself, everyone else either already left… or was too late.” He winced in pain as he looked down at his leaf-coated leg.

“Really did a number on my legs… I was on the open sea for a day or two, not sure, I was in a lot of pain. And the last thing I remember is another storm knocking me out of my boat. If it weren’t for you I would surely have drowned, thank you Sophie.” Although he could barely remember anything in the chaos that followed the lifeboat overturning, it was clear enough that he owed his life to this woman. He had accepted death at the time, but now there was solid ground beneath his feet once more. It was an unbelievable stroke of luck.

“Oh, it’s nothing! I’m just glad I have somebody to talk to now! Don’t worry; I’ll nurse you until your leg heals.”
The snake woman clutched the bowl to her ample chest with a smile as she spoke. Those teeth looked rather sharper than a human’s; Edward wondered if they contained venom as well. Blinking slowly, Edward looked Sophie straight in her sapphire eyes.

“Um, thank you… Wait, are you saying there’s nobody else on this island?” With that, the smile left Sophie’s face. Her eyelids fell down as she gritted her teeth, as if contemplating which words to use next, like a surgeon choosing her tools to best ensure a painless operation. The most crucial, hurtful details, she had left for last.

"Yesss, you’re right. I’ve been living here alone for some time. Like I said, no boats have passed here in… forever! You only came here because a storm tossed you here. Without getting a lift, even I can’t swim for long enough to reach the mainland, especially not whilst carrying you. I’m sorry, Eddie. I don’t think you’ll be able to go home.” What little energy he had left Edward’s body with a despairing sigh, as he fell limp onto his back. With empty eyes, he stared up at the unfamiliar, splintered ceiling.

“I see… Of course I can’t.” Out of consideration for her new, permanent guest’s feelings, Sophie slithered slowly to the door as salty tears brewed in Edward’s eyes. Lacking even the motivation to wipe them away, the bitter taste in his mouth reminded him of the tight embrace of the cruel ocean that still surrounded him.

[UPDATE]

Edward shivered as pale moonlight filtered through the open window. Totally alone, with not even the company of the one other soul on this secluded island. Apparently Sophie much preferred to sleep in the ocean, and so he was left to sit awake in the lonely cabin, trembling every time branches rustled in the wind. Sophie had assured him that there was nothing to be afraid of on this island, yet he still couldn’t empty his heart of anxiety. Though he was no stranger to travelling solo, being so utterly alone in this strange place made Edward too uncomfortable to get a good night’s sleep. Only a few months remained before he was scheduled to return home to the smiling faces of his family and friends; he wondered whether they had heard about the disaster, or whether they would simply wait year upon year for someone who would never return. Edward sat awake in his bed for hours, thinking of all the comforts of civilisation he would never again experience. Ah, how he would have loved some soft, melodic, music, to calm his nerves and send him to sleep. But the ever-present blessing of electricity was no more.

Sounds of slithering scales and creaking boards awoke Edward from a shallow sleep, as Sophie placed a heavy bucket of water on the floor and slowly approached with a delicious smelling bowl. It didn’t take long for his host to notice the black markings under his eyes, and how dishevelled he was looking.

“Good morning… Or  perhaps not so good. Couldn’t sleep?” Those sapphire eyes, so full of compassion, travelled all over his battered form as Sophie passed him a primitive bowl of freshly caught and prepared fish. She may have been an isolated castaway, a monster, but Sophie knew about important human techniques like cooking by fire. Edward could hardly have been more grateful.

“Ugh, not so much… Well, at any rate, the morning just got a lot better, thanks.” Hungrily devouring the offering, Edward didn’t notice the awkward shuffling of the caramel-skinned Lamia, as she brushed her black bangs out of her face.

“Umm… if you think it would help, maybe I should sleep with you? On the floor, or in the next room, or something? I don’t want to give you nightmares…” Her eyes met with Edward’s as he looked up from his meal, licking at his lips hungrily.

“Nonsense, being alone in the dark is far more frightening. I’d like it if you slept here very much, but don’t you like sleeping in the ocean? I don’t want to trouble you… This delicious food, too…” Before the sound of his despondent sigh could reach her ears, Sophie flashed her knife-like teeth in a broad smile.

“Oh, you’re no burden at all! I’m glad you don’t mind having me around, more than anything else! I don’t mind sleeping up here if it means you’ll get well soon!” It really was mystifying. This serpent, this lady, was far too kind, or so Edward thought to himself… before he could save the tender expression on her selfless face to memory, Sophie rooted through an old worm eaten cupboard, pulling out a gritty old cloth.

“Now, strip down! It’s bath time for Eddie~!” His appreciative smile was replaced by an awkward grimace and a slight blush in mere seconds, as she soaked the cloth in her wooden bucket.

“Wait, wh-what?! Um, I can bathe myself…” Stammering away to himself like a shy young boy, Sophie thrust herself right up into his face with a stern expression, the kind that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“No you cannot! You’ll have to move your legs to get everywhere, and if I let you boil in your own sweat, well, that’ll hardly be hygienic! I’ll sit behind you so I don’t see anything too naughty, so STRIP already, okay, Eddie?” In the face of this strong, passionate voice, carrying the essence of authority, Edward found himself nodding quietly. Slipping the old, ragged top from his body, he sat up as straight as he could, as Sophie coiled up behind him.

“Now, sit still, and be a good boy, okay?” Contradicting her almost immediately, Edward jumped up in surprise at the sound of Sophie’s soft voice directly into his ear. He could hear her long, moist, tongue, writhing around inside her hot mouth as she spoke, her voice now more calming and gentle. Those surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his broad chest, rubbing the cloth up and down in regular motions. Frayed and worn, the fabric of the wet cloth tickled at his skin with each movement, only further increasing his urge to wriggle and yelp. In an effort to distract himself, Edward’s eyes shot around the decaying room, noting the décor, the state of repair, and the quality of the clothing.

“Say, Sophie, all this stuff left here looks pretty old… when did anyone last come here? How old are you anyway?” What crockery had not been primitively carved by the sole inhabitant still looked antique, the clothes lacking any kind of fashion or intricate design. Though the air was hot, Edward found himself shivering at the wet sensation assaulting his thighs.

“Ah! Didn’t anyone teach you any mannerss, Eddie? Isn’t it still impolite to ask a girl you barely know about her age? Unbelievable~!” Though he could not see her face, the burst of hot air she had gasped into his ear spoke volumes.

“Umm, Sorry, I just got a little curious… you’re right.” Staring up at the ceiling in anxiety and embarrassment, Edward felt those long fingers pull away from his skin at last, Sophie panting quietly as she made her way to the door.

“Well, bath time is over~! I’ll be in the ocean, and you, Eddie, should be thinking very carefully about your manners!” Despite the rather clear playfulness in her tone, the idea of offending his sole companion struck fear into the heart of Edward. If he were to do something worse, something truly awful, in her eyes, then he would be truly and utterly abandoned in this foreign place. What would make a snake girl react that way? Edward spent some time racking his brains for answers, how to appease a girl of a separate species.

Time passed slowly on the island forgotten by civilisation. Although Edward slept easier with Sophie curled up in the only other room, there was still nothing for him to do in bed all day. His phone had apparently been swept away by the waves, so he couldn’t just let the hours fly away by flinging some Angry Harpies at intricately defended Orcs like usual. All he could do was contemplate and consider this mysterious predicament. It wasn’t as though Sophie was ignoring him, but it took a lot of work to support the two of them, and she only had so much time to answer all of Edward’s burning questions before she had to slither back to the ocean and catch dinner for two. Only quick bursts of her bright, playful personality illuminated his dreary days. This loneliness, this guilt, this confusion, all added up to put Edward in a rather depressed mood. One of his most prominent thoughts was his utter dependence on Sophie; if she should get tired of working so hard for the sake of this man she barely knew, he would be defenceless and alone, without half the survival or knowledge needed to protect himself. Factor in his wounded leg, and the idea of being truly alone here was enough to put him in a cold sweat, even under the baking tropical sun.

As the day began to draw to a close, Sophie returned in time for her patient’s evening meal. Edward couldn’t help but notice that her hands were empty, and in return, Sophie paid close attention to the emptiness in his eyes.

“Say, Eddie… it must be tiring to stay in this one room all day long. Let’s go to the beach!” Such an unexpected proposition caused the wounded man’s eyebrows to shoot up in confusion.

“As great as that would be, I think you’re forgetting that I can’t really walk.” However, the eager Lamia wasn’t listening, she simply slithered up to the bedside and scooped Edward out of the covers like it was nothing. He blushed and squirmed helplessly as his body was carried like a princesses’. He didn’t know that much about Sophie, but if he knew one thing, it was that she revelled in popping the bubble of his personal space.

“Hehehe~ What’s the matter, Eddie? Is this uncomfortable? Or are you just embarrasssed to be carried by a girl like this? Aww, how cuuute~” Blue, slitted eyes stared down into his, as Sophie licked her lips, contorted into a teasing smile. Strong, toned arms wrapped around Edward’s weak body like a comforting blanket.

“Umm… n-no, it’s fine, thank you.” Even as his knight in arboreal armour carried him out of the cabin, puffing slightly from the unusual exertions of being on the land, her speed seemed barely effected. There was no doubt as to whom the apex predator on this island was. Edward hardly wanted to think about just how monstrously fast and strong she would be in the water. Indeed, he didn’t have to rely on mere imagination for long, as Sophie gently set him down, with barely any sign of effort, upon a rocky outcrop next to a small campfire. As he looked around his new surroundings, a splash directed his eyes to the pristine, crystalline water, and the beauty with a striped tail had dived in. Her agility was even more incredible that he could have imagined; she coiled and corkscrewed, frolicking about like a playful dolphin. Like a more ordinary sea snake, Sophie seemed to most prefer swimming by curving her body into a wavy “s-like” shape, undulating her long tail to push herself forward. Once she eventually tired of playing, she moved in this way back to the shore, resting her head on her arms as she hooked herself onto the rocks.

“Aah~ It feelss so good to be in the water. You’re healing up nicely, Eddie. Won’t be long before you can join me in here! Sounds fun, doesn’t it? I’ll show you all the scenic spots!” Grabbing at her fish supper, she studied the reactions of her companion as he placed his own empty bowl on the rocks.

“Yeah… I guess so.” Although he wasn’t lying, his reply still sounded soulless and weak, as he gazed emptily past the endless waves, as if trying to grasp a glimpse of home. Biting her lip on slight frustration, Sophie pulled herself a little higher onto the rocks, clearing her throat to get his attention.

“Eddie… I know that being stranded here is hard for you, but look around! Isn’t this island a nice place? There are far worse places you could be trapped, and with far worse people… or at least, I hope you think that… Look, what I mean is, the sooner you accept this, the sooner you can be happy again. And that’s what we both want. I want you to smile, both of us to smile, together!” Somehow, the ocean looked slightly warmer to Edward than it had mere moments before. The setting sun cast a spectrum of colours across the sky, framing the slender form of the aquatic girl. Her wet, inky black hair stuck to her tanned skin as it flowed down to the nape of her neck, glistening in the fading light.  An expression of worry, of compassion, twisted her cute face. Although her words were clumsy, Edward couldn’t help but feel guilty for his thoughts of being abandoned. Quite frankly, they were selfish. He wasn’t the only one dealing with solitude. Sophie had coped alone for who knows how long. She needed his company as much as he needed hers. She wasn’t the prison warden, she was his fellow cellmate. In fact, this island didn’t even have to be a prison at all; it could be whatever they made of it.
Surprising even himself, Edward smiled properly for the first time since arriving on this island. He sat back and soaked up the scenery, the beautiful greenery of the trees behind him, the deep red and golden tones of the sky, and the darkening blue hue of the ocean.

“Thank you Sophie. I’m sorry for being such a bother… I just need a little more time. It’s not very manly to mope about like this, I know.” The handsome smile on his rugged, unshaven face was soon reflected on the smooth features of the dripping wet Lamia. Edward stole a quick glance as salty droplets trickled into her impressive cleavage. It was unclear if she had noticed, but all of a sudden she giggled to herself, slithering ashore to seize the smirking man in her smooth arms.

“Ohh, silly boy, you’re no bother at all. Besides, I’m a very patient girl. But if you insisst, you can do me a few favours when you’re healed, hehehe~” Once again, the Lamias seemingly boundless strength impressed Edward as the occasional bead of water splashed onto him. Once she had flicked some water onto the fire with her muscular tail, they made for the cabin at impressive speed. Placing Edward carefully into his bed in the murky blackness of the room, Sophie seemed to hover with indecision before him for a few moments. Before he could question her unusual behavior, she quickly placed a swift kiss upon his forehead, followed by swiftly scurrying away to the corner of the room and coiling up, hiding her flushed face within layers of her banded coils. Bemused and blushing, Edward rubbed his forehead with a dazzled expression, before laying back. As much as his mood had improved, falling asleep with such a fast-beating heart was quite difficult. He hadn’t expected Sophie to do something so cute, so suddenly. She wasn’t half bad looking, now that he considered it… his thoughts had been too consumed with tragedy and self-hate recently, seemingly blinding him to her tropical charm. Dreams of her wet and supple form engulfed his mind.

Hidden within her tightly wrapped coils, Sophie’s mouth broke out into a wide, shark-toothed grin, as she supressed the urge to giggle.