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The baby snake moves on the human palm, in various shapes of infinity. It has brown and black stripes and can be mistaken for a large earthworm. But the hand that rescued it from the disorientation of a busy highway, lifting it gently by the tail, knows better. This hand knows its species and subspecies, and has an insight into its tiny, reptilian mindset. The wildlife rescuer claims it is lost. As the pockets of green vanish, these animals turn homeless overnight, seeking their way back to safety. “All creatures search for a way back home. They know the way, in their DNA,” says the caption on the Instagram feed. The girl pauses from scrolling. The words hit her. Even a snake knows things she doesn’t.

The city that breathes fumes, waits outside the doorless auto to ingest her whole. She ignores the heckles and tugs, the curses and thugs, to stare at her phone. She messages her parents: “I’m leaving.”

“At least pick up your phone,” her mother texts.

“No”, she texts back. No to three healthy meals a day and three litres of water. No to cognitive behavioural therapy. The girl has been diagnosed with a body dysmorphia, and she refuses to...

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