Three Days Later:
Alex woke to the sensation of being surrounded by tiny, squirming bodies.
The six snakelings had claimed him as their preferred sleeping spot—coiled around his arms, draped across his chest, one particularly bold one (the iridescent third-born) had somehow managed to wind itself around his neck like a living scarf.
"You're all going to suffocate me one day," Alex murmured, carefully extracting the neck-scarf baby and placing it with its siblings.
All six little heads immediately lifted, forked tongues flickering, tiny mouths opening in silent demands.
"I know, I know," Alex said. "You're hungry. You're always hungry."
[MORNING STATUS:
Day 3 post-delivery
Host recovery: 55% (good progress)
Snakeling health: All six thriving
Current challenge: Feeding schedule (every 3 hours)
Sleep deprivation level: SIGNIFICANT]
Leo appeared at the chamber entrance, carrying a woven basket that smelled distinctly of fresh fish.
