Don’t move, Joe told himself. Don’t even breathe. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the coil and the thick clublike end that wove its threats in the air. As his gaze intensified, Joe made a startling discovery. This snake’s head had no eyes, no mouth! Joe’s breathing started to return in small sips. That’s the tail, he realized. This snake is waving its tail! Joe knew he still had to get his arm out of the way—and the sooner the better. With a gasp Joe raised his arm straight up until it hit the top of the van. The snake convulsed along its whole coil, then disappeared beneath the passenger seat. Joe was out of the van in an instant, locking the door behind him. As he raced up the sidewalk to the house, one of the shadowy forms that looked just like another bush began to run. Joe changed directions immediately and angled off in pursuit. He ran the man down half a block away.
