I was being carried by the giant serpent, with Bridget beside me. As we went, the serpent looked around, as though to check to make sure no one was watching. Then he lifted the corner of a painting that hung on the wall and snuck through.
Well that's obviously the right way out, I thought, feeling very stupid.
Since the serpent had no limbs, he had put us in a old, mouldy bag that hung from his side. Every once in a while, it would scrape against the ground, causing Bridget and I to squirm in discomfort.

Suddenly, the slithering gate of the snake slowed to a stop and we were being dumped out of the bag.
When we landed, we were in a small, cage with iron bars like a prison.
Bright hissed and I followed her gaze out of the cage.
More animals stood outside and were talking to the giant serpent.

"Caught these two trying to escape," the serpent hissed. "of course they fell for our old trick though, we needn't worry about them."

"Master, sir," said an old alligator nervously. "Now they know the right way out... How are you going to keep them from escaping now."

"Don't worry, Slug," a elegant cat piped up. "They won't escape, will you?" She turned to us.

"No, no of course not!" I lied.
But when I saw who this cat was, it nearly tore my heart out.
This cat was Venus. "Wait... Venus? Why are you here?"

The red she-cat hung her head and said. "They saved me, I had too."

"Ok, then. Leave your old friend in a cage while you prance around pretending everything is all right. It's not all right. You're keeping animals prisoner in this cave. What use are we to you? It's not like we can do much other then sit around in a cave and eat your food. Or better yet, don't eat your food at all and waste it."

"Yah, yah whatever." A scrawny little bird piped up. "I've had enough of this. Does nobody understand this place helps animals? I got attacked by a dog and I was almost dead. But guess what! These cave animals found me and now I'm ok. In still alive!"

I shook my head in disbelief and then hissed. "They're tricking you. They need workers to do the dirty work and what's a better way to get them than luring them in with false-kindness?"

"I don't really care anymore." The snobbish bird replied, turning her beak up at me and flapping away.

"She's always snobby. If she's having a good day... She's snobby. Bad day.... Snobby," The alligator moaned, sadly. "Guys, can I talk to the cats alone? I need to threaten them." He said winking at us.

"Sure." The serpent said easily. "Make sure you threaten to kill them."

As all the animals crowded out of the room, I saw a few animals stealing angry looks at the alligator.
When they had all left, the alligator came up to them.
"I'm Slug, although I like to call myself Teddy. I don't like this cave. I'll help you escape on one condition."

I gazed around at the dusty cave, considering. I looked at Bridget and she nodded. "And what is that one condition?"

"You must help me... I wanna escape too. But... You see, I'm not very brave. I l... I... I like to be with somebody. Or a few somebodies. This place is cruel. You're correct. It's not a good place. I was kidnapped and unlike the other workers, I had no choice to stay or not-"

I cut into his speech. "Wait, what? They could've left, but chose to stay?"

"Yup. And they will kill me if I try to escape. Will you help me if I help you?" Teddy prompted.

"Well, there is one more thing." I mewed thoughtfully.

"And what is that?"

"Help me get the rest of my friends out of the cave. You could pretend to be taking them into here to put them in prison as well- not that they aren't already in prison."

"I agree."

We were going to escape.