Recognizing her chance, Nicole prepared to make her move, seizing the window of opportunity the night's quiet provided.

Nicole gingerly traced her fingers along the sharp edge of the bamboo she had discovered the night before, methodically cutting through the ropes that bound her wrists. It took time and patience, but eventually, her efforts paid off, and she freed herself from captivity.

As she rose to her feet, she was surprised by how light she felt.

Despite going without food or water for two days, she didn't experience the expected hunger or weakness. Instead, her body seemed to hum with warmth, as if her stomach was continually supplying energy to her vital organs, leaving her remarkably comfortable.

It appeared that the witch clad in red had been correct about the pill. It truly was a miraculous medicine, nourishing her body in ways she hadn't thought possible. Could it be that the pill held the key to revitalizing her failing health?

Nicole found the notion difficult to comprehend. After all, the doctors had given her a bleak prognosis, suggesting she might have only fifteen to twenty years left post-surgery, just enough time to watch her son, Austin, grow up and perhaps even start a family of his own. That was enough for her, she had thought, enough to face her mortality without regret.

But now, with the possibility of extended life, she couldn't help but wonder. With so many bonds tying her to this world, who wouldn't wish for more time to cherish their loved ones?

Putting aside her ponderings, Nicole cautiously approached the door.

She tested the lock, finding it to be a simple latch rather than a secure padlock.

While it wasn't difficult to undo, she hesitated, wary of the potential noise that might disturb the sleeping serpent.

Every aspect of this place felt unnaturally peculiar, and the enigmatic witch clad in red only added to the sense of unease.

The witch's claim to be senior to Nicole's grandmother seemed genuine, casting a shadow of doubt on the true nature of their practices.

Reluctant to risk alerting anyone prematurely, Nicole painstakingly worked on the latch, taking a full thirty minutes to do so without making a sound.

Glancing back at the still serpent, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Silently slipping outside, Nicole was met with an unexpected sight.

The house was perched atop a colossal ancient tree. Descending would require sliding down the tree trunk, a far easier task than attempting to scale it upward.

Spotting a rope nearby, Nicole seized it and used it to Lower herself down the tree.

As she reached the ground, she realized she was standing within a vast natural pit, encircled by towering trees. Each tree bore peculiar, white, cocoon-like structures dangling from their branches, resembling oversized nests.

Nicole's curiosity compelled her to approach one of the strange cocoons cautiously. However, what she discovered within caused her legs to tremble, and she stumbled back in horror.

Inside the cocoon, there was movement, something writhing and squirming in a manner that sent shivers down her spine. The sight was unsettling, to say the least.