500 Word Short Story
The Black Mamba's
Scott A. Gese
500 Word Short Story
There was a sudden realization that the cage was empty.
Carl was never really one to panic, but this was serious. If it had been nothing more than a garden variety, non-poisonous snake, he wouldn't have been so upset. This was different. These were Black Mamba's. One of the worlds most deadliest snakes.
Carl's fascination with snakes, especially the deadly ones began several years ago. He had owned a boa. It was fun to carry around. Most people were repulsed by it, especially if he had it around his neck. The shock value alone was worth it.
Three years ago he had gotten his hands on a Diamondback Rattler. He had caught it himself off a friends back patio. They put it in a gunny sack and he took it home. He kept it in an old 100 gallon salt water aquarium he had transformed into a very nice desert environment. The rattler had recently died and Carl knew he needed to find another.
His close circle of friends all had the same love for snakes, Most were happy with the non-lethal types, but there were a couple others who had a fascination for the deadly ones. His buddy Jeff was one of them. Jeff had a friend who knew a man who could get his hands on one of the deadliest snakes in the world, A Black Mamba. Carl knew it was a long shot. The snake was illegal and had to be smuggled into the country. To get his hands on such a snake would be quite the coup. The fact that it was illegal only made it that much more appealing.
Plans to acquire the Mamba were put into play. Jeff made the necessary contacts. Money had to be paid up front. Jeff was also interested in a Mamba so they put up the money for two.
Several weeks went by and the men were beginning to wonder if they had been duped. But then...Jeff got the call. Two snakes would be delivered within the week.
They were stoked. Jeff had his enclosure ready. Carl still needed to make a couple of modifications to keep his pesky cat from trying to get at them. So when the snakes arrived Jeff kept them both for several days.
When Carl finally took his snake home, he was enamored with it. His fascination kicked up a notch when the snake unexpectedly laid a dozen eggs. He couldn't get to the phone fast enough. Jeff was over in a flash claiming ownership to six of them since surely it was his snake that had done the deed. They kept a close eye on the eggs until they hatched.
Several days after they had hatched. Carl went to check on the babies only to find his cat had caved in the top of the tank. It was dead inside the tank and the snakes had somehow used the broken top to escape. Thirteen Black Mamba's were now on the loose...in Carl's house.
© Copyright 2018 by Scott A. Gese All Rights Reserved.
