Assault by sunlight. That’s how I’ll die. It sure felt like the rays were pelting him, making it a personal attack. If he wanted to roll in self-pity, he’d go with the belief that even the elements were out to get him.
“Scorpions, fire, killer sun and heat…” He could barely speak past his dry throat, but the silence was driving him nuts. “No water, no food, no sleep.” Well, he was too pathetic for himself. Gideon stopped walking. His feet were so sore he was afraid to look at them. He stood, just waiting. He wasn’t normally such a negative person. Even when everything had gone to hell with Andrew, he’d still found a silver lining.
It was hard to find one now. He hung his head and the duffle slipped from his fingers. The thud as it hit the ground stirred something in Gideon’s memory. Hope bubbling up, he squatted and opened the bag.
“Yes! Oh thank the gods!” The bottle of water was a little over halfway full, and it was hot. He didn’t care. He pawed through the bag but didn’t find any food. No surprise, since he didn’t remember packing any in there.
He also took out a T-shirt and quickly fastened it around his head in a manner he’d seen a survival guy do on TV. It would protect his scalp and ears, and if he stretched it just so, he could cover most of his face except for his eyes.
That would wait. He wanted a drink of water.
Gideon opened the bottle carefully. There was always a chance he was exaggerating the danger, but he feared death was an actual possibility, stranded as he was. He considered changing into a pair of jeans to protect his legs, but it was simply not possible in the heat. Stripping down to nothing, now that sounded like a good plan, though he knew better than to do it. Some parts of him weren’t quite as tan as others, and there were dangly bits that no man wanted to have sunburned. He was no exception.
After a few small sips of the water, Gideon forced himself to re-cap the bottle and put it away. It had done little to quench his thirst, but he wasn’t going to chug it all down. He looked at the items in the duffle.
Birth certificate, bank account info, the family photos, notes from Andrew. Clothes. A little over half a bottle of water. Boy, I’m fucked if I don’t find someone to help me out or at least a creek to drink from soon.
For a moment, he entertained the vision of some hikers finding his body twenty years from now—well, his skeletal remains, rather. That’d scare the hell out of someone. Or maybe not, what with all the dead bodies, real and fake, seen on TV and in movies.
And he didn’t need to be so morbid.
Gideon considered burying the bag so he could shift and travel as a bear. There didn’t seem to be anyone around who would spot him and shoot him.
It just wasn’t worth the risk. He stood up and put the bag over his shoulder. Then he started walking again.
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About the Author
A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain demanding to be let out.
Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.
Email: itsbaileybradford@yahoo.com
Bailey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
Also by Bailey Bradford
Breaking the Devil
Dark Nights and Headlights
Texas and Tarantulas
Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots
Southwestern Shifters: Rescued
Southwestern Shifters: Relentless
Southwestern Shifters: Reckless
Southwestern Shifters: Rendered
Southwestern Shifters: Resilience
Southwestern Shifters: Reverence
Southwestern Shifters: Revolution
Southwestern Shifters: Revenge
Southwestern Shifters: Reluctance
Southwestern Shifters: Renounced
Southwestern Shifters: Retrograde
Southern Spirits: A Subtle Breeze
Southern Spirits: When the Dead Speak
Southern Spirits: All of the Voices
Southern Spirits: Wait Until Dawn
Southern Spirits: Aftermath
Southern Spirits What Remains
Southern Spirits: Ascension
Southern Spirits: Whirlwind
Love in Xxchange: Rory’s Last Chance
Love in Xxchange: Miles To Go
Love in Xxchange: Bend
Love in Xxchange: What Matters Most
Love in Xxchange: Ex’s and O’s
Love in Xxchange: A Bit of Me
Love in Xxchange: A Bit of You
Love in Xxchange: In My Arms Tonight
Love in Xxchange: Where There’s a Will
Love in Xxchange: My Heart to Keep
Leopard’s Spots: Levi
Leopard’s Spots: Oscar
Leopard’s Spots: Timothy
Leopard’s Spots: Isaiah
Leopard’s Spots: Gilbert
Leopard’s Spots: Esau
Leopard’s Spots: Sullivan
Leopard’s Spots: Wesley
Leopard’s Spots: Nischal
Leopard’s Spots: Justice
Leopard’s Spots: Sabin
Leopard’s Spots: Cliff
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Chaps and Hope
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Ropes and Dreams
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Saddles and Memories
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Fences and Freedom
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Riding and Regrets
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Broncs and Bullies
Mossy Glenn Ranch: Hay and Heartbreak
Spotless: Hide
Spotless: Hunt
Spotless: Home
Spotless: Heart
Coyote’s Call: Off Course
Coyote’s Call: In from the Cold
Valen’s Pack: Run with the Moon
Valen’s Pack: Exodus
The Vamp for Me: My Life Without Garlic
The Vamp for Me: Don’t Stake My Life on It
The Vamp for Me: Sunshine is Overrated
Yes, Forever: Part One
Yes, Forever: Part Two
Yes, Forever: Part Three
Yes, Forever: Part Four
Yes, Forever: Part Five
What’s his Passion?: Unexpected Places
What’s his Passion?: Unexpected Moments
