The storm was gone in the morning and saddling up I headed Ted towards the south. I was about an hour into the ride when I felt the wind pick up dramatically.
To my astonishment dust began to blow. Inches of rain had fallen overnight and yet I was riding into a turbulent storm of dust and flying debris!
Tumbleweeds came flying through the gale with enough force to startle Ted into almost bucking me off. Regaining control I headed for the sheltering rise of some hills that were off to the west and immediately the storm winds abated.
I looked about in consternation. It felt as if I was being played with!
Anger began to mount and I turned Ted and spurred him on towards the south. The wind was back and with it the tumbleweeds. Ted spooked as one skipped up and hit him in the face and he spun too sharp for me to hold on and I fell from the saddle to land hard on the ground.
The fall had hurt, but the burning in my arm was the worst. It was almost as if I’d been bitten by something.
Scrambling backward from the coiled snake I drew my pistol and shot its head off. The brightly banded snake flopped about on the ground without its head and breathing hard I tore at my shirt sleeve.
Pulling my shirt sleeve up revealed two fang pinprick impressions in my forearm that gave proof to the changes I felt even now taking place within my body. Oh God I was going to die!
*****
My eyes were going in and out of focus and my heart felt like it was coming out of my chest. I lay back on the sand as all the wind left and the day became hot and still.
I could barely breathe. Of all the ways to go out this was the least of the ways I’d thought most likely. I think I would’ve preferred a bullet.
Oddly my soon approaching mortality did not feel peaceful. I came very much to the conclusion that I’d rather go on living then to die right now.
I should have gone west like the old man had indicated to do. Strangest of all then, as I faded from consciousness, was the image of the old man staring down at me on the ground.
“Remember what I said about choices?” He asked.
I nodded or at least I would have if I was still in control of my body.
“You haven’t made very many good ones.”
Hysterically I felt on the verge of laughter, but even that was too much for me right now. Good choices in comparison to my actions were complete opposites.
“You can change.”
“I’m going to hell and I know it.” I mumbled out and it was the last thing I was aware of other than the old man’s disapproving shake of his head at my words.