Gizmo.
He must be terrified. I’ve never heard him screech like this before.
And it’s all my fault. I’m the one who didn’t latch his habitat correctly. I’m the one who said to leave the stupid door to the trailer open. I’m the one who laughed when Miles leaped onto the bed like his ass was on fire instead of going after Gizmo.
Worst hamster mom ever.
Now, poor Gizmo will pay the price while I watch from the sidelines.
A quiet sob escapes, and I clap a trembling hand over my mouth.
“I’m going to get him,” Miles promises, voice steady. “But I need you to stay calm.”
Impossible.
Because snake.
Qué carajo. Did he just say he’s going to get Gizmo?
I tear my gaze from Gizmo and turn to Miles, my anxiety skyrocketing to new heights as I gasp for breath.
All my fault.
All my fault.
All my fault.
Miles is slowly making his way around the outer edge of the campsite, moving along the brush as if he plans to circle behind the snake.
But that’s ridiculous.
He wouldn’t challenge a rattler. Certainly not to save Gizmo.
I hiss his name through clenched teeth, but he doesn’t answer.
The pendejo just raises a finger to his lips in the universal sign forshut the hell up so I don’t get eaten by a snake.
My knees shake, and I watch in dismay as he picks up a long, dried-out tree branch.
It’s painful to watch. Like a horror movie where you know the jump scare is coming, but you can’t tear your eyes away, because the fear of missing out is greater than whatever bloodbath is coming.
I say a silent prayer as Miles moves behind the snake, inching closer.
Its attention is still fixed on Gizmo, this weird standoff testing the limits of my nerves, which are all but shredded at this point.
Miles holds up three fingers, his meaning becoming clear when he silently lowers one.
It’s a countdown. But to what?
And do I go on one or zero?
I need more information, but I’m not exactly in a position to ask questions.
At the slightest sound from Miles, the rattler could strike. I don’t know much about snakes, but I know they’re fast. It could turn on him in the blink of an eye.
Then, instead of watching Gizmo be eaten, I’ll have to watch as Miles is injected with poisonous venom. I’ll have to break camp and get him to the nearest ranger station.
Dios mío.Where is the closest ranger station? I can’t remember even though we looked it up on the park map this morning.
