Dark Mountains Read Online Free PDF

“Stay still, Libby.”
    The Copperhead was the biggest I’d ever seen, lying coiled in the spot where the hay bale I was holding had been. Its head was up, poised to strike. I felt the wagon stop and heard Libby’s pa climbing down. I didn’t take my eyes off the deadly snake that was staring me down. I knew that the venom from a snake that size would kill me before we could even make it to the hospital in Middlesboro.
    I stood as still as I could; sweat making itchy paths down my back. Jack son climbed onto the wagon next to the baler, eyeing the snake, then me. He moved slowly, taking in the scene. Libby was trembling as she watched the snake and me. She looked at her Pa, hoping he would help me.
    Libby’s pa just stood there, staring at me. Another stream of filthy tobacco flew from his mouth. I saw his face, almost smiling, and I knew that he didn’t care if the snake bit me or not.
    Libby must’ve realized that at the same moment as me because I could hear her starting to whimper. I looked down at the snake and then back up at Libby’s pa. Then I looked at Libby and heard her pleading with me to hold on. My arms were burning and I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold the bale up much longer. If I moved, the snake would strike, sinking its deadly fangs into my skin.
    “Please, Pa,” she whimpered, her eyes begging him. “Help him, please.” He spit again but didn’t answer. Libby looked back at me and I knew instantly what she was going to do.
    “Libby, don’t,” I begged, my voice full of fear. Eyes locked with mine, she took a step forward. The snaked hissed, its head moving with Libby’s movement. Jack son stared at Libby and then back at me as Libby took another step forward.
    “You’ve got to jump fast, Cole,” Libby whispered as the snake shifted its gaze from her to me. “It won’t be distracted for long.”
    “Libby, no,” I begged again. My arms were shaking now. Fear welled up in my throat as Libby took another step.
    “Stop!” Jackson shouted, making Libby jump back. “Move again and I’ll tan your hide so hard you won’t sit for a week.” Libby’s face paled but she didn’t move. Jackson climbed onto the wagon without fear. The snake was still watching me as my arms shook.
    He reached out just as my arms gave out and the hay bale dropped. The snake lunged towards me, fangs out. Jack son grabbed its head just before it bit into my leg. I fell backwards, landing hard on my ass. I shoved myself further back until I was up against the stack of hay. Libby rushed over to me, her hands going to my shoulders.
    Jack son still held the snake, its jaw snapping. He stepped towards us as he caressed the snake’s head. He knelt down, snake in hand, until he was eye level. The snake’s gleaming fangs were inches from my face. I felt the bile rising in my throat as little black dots flashed in my eyes.
    “You afraid of snakes, boy?” His voice was cold and empty. “Hmm?” He looked at me, his eyes dark and calculating.
    “Yes’sir ,” I whispered my voice barely audible.
    “You’d better be,” his voice was menacing as he ran a finger down the top of the snake’s scaly head. “Keep your hands off her.” The threat in his warning was unmistakable as his eyes moved to Libby’s hands, still clenching my shoulders.
    Jackson stood up slowly and stepped off the wagon. He laid the snake on the ground and it slithered away, silent and docile. He turned back to us, spitting into the dirt.
    “Get off, both of ya,” he growled, jerking his head. “Go home.”
    Willing my muscles to move, I scrambled up, stumbling to the edge and jumping down. Libby followed me as I ran to the edge of the tree line. Her pa climbed back onto the tractor and drove it slowly out of the field.
    “Cole?” Libby put a hand on my shoulder but I shrugged her off as I walked towards the trees. When she started to follow, I turned quickly and yelled.
    “Stay!” I saw her shrink back, quickly dragging her eyes to