"What is it, Jaster?!" Stella shouted at the frozen boy. She looked around her and saw everyone looking outside the window, their faces wearing the same frozen expression as his.
Curious, Stella wanted to look, but she glanced at Zara, who was unconscious in her arms.
She carefully laid Zara on the table and got up to look out the window.
"Hey, what are you seeing—" Stella's eyes and mouth flew open at the sight outside.
"What's that....?"
Outside, a colossal serpent rampaged through the street.
Its scales were a deep gray-indigo, almost black beneath the dim sky. Along its neck, a wide frill glowed from within, as if ancient lightning had been trapped beneath its skin.
The creature's eyes were pitch black, its pupils shining with a pale blue light.
The serpent slithered violently through the street, sending cars skidding and people fleeing in terror. Screams filled the air.
Then its gaze fell upon a woman and her child.
