[As Poe is walking, he just might pick up on a rustling from the bushes, as if someone is discreetly trying to follow along after him. Though it's not really all that discreet-- it's more like something is stumbling and tripping through the bushes, poorly attempting to keep pace.

Oh yes, and narrating, albeit somewhat breathlessly.]

--but though he called for his companion, it was nowhere to be found! How fickle, the bonds of friendship! How cruel to-- [a pause. labored breathing.] to be thrown alone, headfirst, right into an idiomatic pit of snakes!!