"Who dares step on my property?" the snake hissed.

A talking snake? Wonderful! If he were poisonous, I would have passed out right then and there. Did I mention that I am not the biggest fan of snakes?

"T-this is your territory?" I stammered. "I am terribly sorry. I had no idea."

"Sorry will not cut it. Humans are forbidden on my land! And when they trespass, they become fair game for me to feast on."

"No...please do not..."

The snake raised his head and opened his mouth, revealing his sharp fangs. I shut my eyes tight and cowered in fear as I awaited my doom. Never had I considered that I would die by a talking snake.

Thankfully, a miracle did occur. I overheard the animal rethinking his decision, and I opened my eyes slowly. The snake's head returned to where it had been before, and his fangs were hidden once more. He looked as if he were pondering - and he was.

"What...what are you thinking about?" I managed to choke out.

He was rubbing his chin using his tail. "I do believe that I should spare you."

I was taken aback by his reply and sat up. "You have got to be kidding me. Are you kidding?"

His orange eyes flashed. "I do not kid...kid."

"Hey. I am not a kid. I am thirteen years old. All humans become teenagers when they turn thirteen."

"Oh, no. Tell your mom and dad that they have my blessing."

"Why should I? And why are you giving my parents your blessing? I thought that you did not care for humans."

The snake was apparently insulted by my latest statement. He raised his string-like body so that his face was across from mine. I leaned back a little and swallowed a lump.

"Who said that he or she does not care about you humans? Just because I despise you humans trespassing what is rightfully mine does not mean that I do not like you. The mayor of Forlot gave me permission to have this land and told the townsfolk time and time again to never show up here uninvited unless they had a gift to give me."

I remembered the pretty box that he was trapped in and snapped my fingers. I told him that I indeed had a present for him. The best present that he would ever get. He commanded me to show my gift to him, and I took it out and set it in front of him.

The animal was startled at the gift, for what he was seeing was the very box that he was locked in for who knew how long. I stated that he should be familiar with this item, and he did not even try to deny it and added that they trapped him in there and threw away the key.

"Who trapped you? Who?" I demanded to know. "Please tell me. I am the Monster Protector. I can get you justice."

His eyes bulged from their sockets, and the snake scanned me from top to bottom. He asked if I was bluffing, and I reassured him that I was not.

"I should go." He turned the other way. "I feel sorry that your parents have to deal with a spoiled teen." With that, he slithered away.

Even though that I was not fond of snakes, I was quite intrigued by this particular snake and followed him.

"Hate to break it to ya, but I am not that type of teen. I am not spoiled."

"Even if that were true, you are a Monster Protector who cannot take a proper shower."

Insulted, I sniffed my armpit. "I smell like roses and strawberries. And by the way, I took a shower before bed last night."

The snake hissed. "The only good Monster Protector is a dead one."

I gasped and frowned. "That was not very nice. Someone ought to teach you some manners."

"How can I when your kind does not have any?"

I raised my voice. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Go home, Monster Protector, and leave me be."

The reptile slithered into a cave, the darkness swallowing him, and I halted at the entrance of the cave. Why did he not like me? And what was his deal with the Monster Protectors? There was no question that this concerned me, and I needed to find out why.

"If you think that the Monster Protectors are tyrants, you are wrong. And I can prove it to you."

I waited for a reply, but none was given.

I cupped my hands around my mouth. "I have helped tons of people. My sister. My cousin. My mom and dad. Even some good monsters." I felt a tap on my shoulder and heard a female voice.

"Margie?"

In an instant, I spun around and was filled with joy that Lean Share appeared.

"Lean!"

"I noticed you leaving the campsite and thought that it would be wise to follow you."

"I am glad that you did, Lean. I am having trouble with—"

She cut me off. "Forget about Dribbles."

"Dribbles?"

"That is the snake's name. But enough about him. We have to search inside the cave for the orb."

"The orb?"

"That is what I said, yes. It is a blue orb that can let you see what each Monster Protector accomplished. It also reveals the location of the Monster Protector eyeballs."

Her last sentence was what sealed the deal. I took out my arrow and crossbow and positioned the arrow on the crossbow.

"Okay, Lean. I am ready."

"Margie, you should know that there are—Margie!"

Too late. I had stepped into the cave and tripped over the thin wire, activating the booby trap.

"That cannot be good," I said, stumbling back.

Lean flew as fast as lightning. She scooped me up and flew to a safe part of the cave.

"Great," Lean said. "You will be in here...forever."