“Hello,” Adam said to the Snakes. “What brings you here today?”

One snake, holding a pen in its mouth, moved over a notepad held by another snake. It presented a roughly scrawled message to Adam.

Adam showed the message to the others. “To Help,” it said.

“Huh. This is weirder than usual,” said Gladys.

“We are in need of help,” said Adam. “I think we should accept it in whatever form we find it.” He gestured to the group, “Join us, Nineteen Snakes. And if there are no further surprises this morning–”

And then a barrage of smoke grenades began.