The scorching sun burned down relentlessly, turning their pale skin a dangerous, angry red. Lucious and Hero couldn't bear the oppressive heat any longer. The ocean before them was treacherous, but the blazing sun was far more exhausting. Without another thought, they both dived into the cool water. Even the dog joined in, enjoying a brief, refreshing swim.
Meanwhile, Jack was working tirelessly, rowing the boat under the baking heat. Eventually, he too reached his breaking point. Snapping from the sheer exhaustion, he plunged into the ocean to cool himself down. The trio swam for a while, letting the water wash away their fatigue, but they knew they couldn't linger forever. They climbed back into the boat to resume their journey.
Suddenly, Lucious spotted a snake cutting through the water. He realized with a jolt of dread that Snake Island must be nearby. Peering into the distance, he caught sight of a tiny, distant speck of land. He quickly grabbed his compass.
"We are at Snake Island," Lucious announced.
Jack stood up, shielding his eyes as he spotted the landmass. "Our next destination," he muttered. "But it's still a long way off. It will take a full day of traveling to reach it."
"I'm tired," Jack admitted with a heavy sigh.
"Okay, it's my turn," Lucious replied, taking over the oars.
As Lucious rowed to close the distance, the horror of their destination became clear. Snakes were everywhere, swimming just above the surface of the water. Lucious felt a wave of fear wash over him, but they were already too close to change course now. By noon, they finally reached a massive mountain covered in dense trees.
"We will stay on the boat tonight," Lucious decided, looking warily at the shore. Sheltered by the vessel, they all finally fell asleep inside a pocket of safety.
The night was pitch black. Sleep did not come easily, as they could hear the terrifying sound of snakes swimming in the dark waters all around them.
By the next morning, hunger and thirst forced their hand. They had to venture onto Snake Island to find food, water, and shelter for the next few days. This island was far from a normal paradise; it was a lethal haven home to foxes, mongooses, peacocks, and an overwhelming number of venomous snakes. Vipers, rattlesnakes, cobras, and sea snakes ruled the land.
As the morning fully broke, the team—Lucious, Jack, and Hero—made their descent. Hero bounded onto the land, happily wagging his tail. As they approached the island beach, Lucious's eyes caught a nearby tree, and his breath hitched. Slithering along the branches was a shiny, green-colored rat snake.
"We are at the beach for the moment," Lucious whispered urgently. "We already saw a snake. This island is dangerous. Everybody be careful."
Jack immediately grabbed a heavy stick, carrying it defensively in his arms, while ensuring the boat was safely secured to the beach.
Now, they needed to find something for breakfast. Scanning the treeline, Jack spotted a mango tree. Lucious rushed over instantly. The branches were heavy with grown mangoes. He plucked a handful—some perfectly ripe, others still green—and tossed them back to Jack, who carefully collected them. They had survived the night, but their trial on the island was just beginning.