She had just started toward the office herself when she heard raised voices. A little knot of students had gathered at the edge of the parking lot.
"Stay away from it."
"Kill it!"
Thea joined the periphery of the group, being inconspicuous. But then she saw what was on the ground beyond the curb and she took three startled steps until she was looking right down at it.
Oh ... how beautiful. Long, strong body . . . broad head . . . and a string of rapidly vibrating horny rings on the tail. They were making a noise like steam escaping, or melon seeds being shaken.
The snake was olive green, with wide diamonds down its back. The scales on the face looked shiny, almost wet. And its black tongue flickered so fast.. . .
A rock whizzed past her and hit the ground beside the snake. Dust puffed.
Thea glanced up. A kid in cutoffs was backing away, looking scared and triumphant.
"Don't do that," somebody said.
"Get a stick," somebody else said.
"Keep away from it."
"Kill it."
Another rock flew.
The faces around Thea weren't vicious. Some were curious, some were alarmed, some were filled with a sort of fascinated disgust. But it was all going to end up the same for the snake.
A boy with red hair came running up with a forked branch. People were reaching for rocks.