The python gave them no time to think. It lunged at Yvette, its mouth wide open, its enormous body obscuring the sky. Yvette sneered, dodged swiftly, and drew a dagger from her waist. Seeing her dodge, the python, furious, viciously swung its tail toward Emmett, Bruce, Chris, and Frankie, who stood at a distance. Yvette, without hesitation, ran back the way the python had come, disappearing instantly.
Taking no chances, Emmett and the others aimed at the python's head, firing a barrage of bullets. The huge python, its cunning honed over many years, refused to remain a stationary target. It swayed its head, deftly avoiding most of the shots. However, its immense size meant a few bullets found their mark, leaving small holes and a trickle of blood—negligible damage to the creature.
The wounded python became more agitated. Fixing its large eyes on them, it flickered its red tongue and launched another attack. Forced to retreat, Frankie was struck by the python's tail, knocked unconscious and thrown into the bushes. Seeing Frankie injured, Emmett signaled Chris, who instantly understood. Emmett's plan: one would aim for the head, the other for a weak point—a difficult task given the python's immense size.
Their only option was to evade the python's attacks and search for a vital weakness. Bruce understood his role was support, seizing every opportunity to inflict damage and buy time. Gradually, they grew exhausted, while the python's ferocity only increased. Sensing their weakening resolve, it attacked with renewed vigor. Bruce and Chris were seriously injured and collapsed. Only Emmett remained, his own injuries evident to the fallen men. Bruce and Chris exchanged a look—a silent agreement—determined to take down the beast even if it cost them their lives. Chris produced his explosives, a last-ditch effort for mutual destruction.
Just as Emmett was struck down, Chris gritted his teeth, resigned to their shared fate. Then, a chilling shout echoed from afar: "Stop!" It was Yvette. Chris looked up, surprised to see her rushing towards them. They had assumed she had abandoned them, but she had returned. Bruce, too, was relieved. Yvette's return solidified her place among them.
Yvette's gaze sharpened. She leaped at the python, her jump precisely landing her on its previously unseen weak point. The python, aware of the vulnerability, thrashed violently, trying to dislodge her. Yvette, with a powerful thrust, plunged her dagger into the weak point. What even bullets couldn't pierce, her dagger had found. She twisted the blade.
Weakened, the python struggled, shaking its head wildly. Seizing the opportunity, Yvette climbed onto its head, drew her gun, and fired into its eyes. Blinded, the python was defenseless as Yvette sliced off its head.
Frankie awoke to a thunderous crash that shook the rainforest. Crawling from the underbrush, he witnessed a scene etched forever in their memories: Yvette, dressed in black, stood atop the giant python's head, blood staining her, yet her expression confident, proud, almost queenly. The setting sun cast a golden glow upon her, like a goddess descended from the heavens.
Seeing them lost in thought, Yvette's frown rippled across their faces, snapping them back to reality. They looked at her with complex emotions. She jumped down, produced four pieces of vanilla toffee, and tossed them over. They caught them resignedly; they were not children, but after witnessing her prowess, they ate the sweets silently.
Yvette's display had shocked them. Slaying the python had been effortless for her. Chris’s eyes sparkled; he saw her as a mentor. He was determined to formalize that respect once they left the rainforest. Yvette, after eating the toffee, swiftly extracted the python's gallbladder, a display of skill and precision that amazed them. They could only utter the word "legend". The event shattered their preconceived notions of pretty girls. They finally understood why Jeremiah liked her: both were extraordinary in their own right.
As darkness fell, Yvette said simply, "Keep up," and led them deeper into the rainforest. After an hour, she found a cave, and they made camp for the night.