The Vet’s Strange Questions

Jake returned with his phone still in hand. “She answered,” he said. “She’s going to call back with more details, but she already asked one thing—if Nimbus had any previous behavior tied to sound or routine.” Mia looked up from the screen. “Sound?” Jake nodded.

“She said some snakes can recognize low-frequency vibrations, especially if they’re consistent. Repetition. Habit.” He paused before adding, “She also asked if there was anything unique happening around the time he shows up.” Mia didn’t answer right away. She looked back at the screen. The time on the last clip still glowed in the corner: 2:13 a.m. every night, without fail.