Jacob sat on the rock overlooking Lake Mead and tried to take in the beauty around him. The only thing to register was the vastness of the space surrounding him and how small he truly was in the grand scheme of things. Isolated in the expanse of the Nevada desert, his heart ached. He pulled his phone from his pocket and fired off a text to Alex.

I don’t know what you’re doing. I’m at Lake Mead in the middle of nowhere, and I needed you to know I’m thinking about you. I miss not having you within arms-reach. This is me being honest with you as I should have been so long ago.

He re-read the words, his finger hovered over the small screen for what seemed like ages before he tapped the send button. Jacob looked around the scenic vista finally seeing the beauty that surrounded him. A few minutes longer looking at the vibrant blue water against the rocks on either side and he stood. He brushed his hands over his ass giving it a quick dusting as he left behind the desert sand before making his way back down the little used trail toward the car he’d left in one of the many small parking lots along the roadside.

Carefully picking his way down the path, Jacob lost his footing on a bit of loose gravel. Arms flailing he attempted to stay erect as his feet slipped down the almost imperceptible slope. His body jolted to a stop as his lead foot slammed into a large rock. Jacob leaned forward, hands resting on the hot stone. He needed a minute to regain his composure. The sudden sting on his ankle pulled his attention away from his aching legs and he spied the telltale rattle slip deeper beneath the rock.

Looking at the stinging spot on his ankle the two puncture marks were very clear. “Shit. This is the last thing I need.” Jacob stepped away from the rock and the snake beneath it and almost collapsed from the pain. The rock he leaned on was large enough so sat down with his feet up off the ground.

Jacob reached for his phone. He punched in 911 and waited a few seconds before the call was answered.

“9-1-1 what’s your emergency?”

“I am out on the trails around Lake Mead, alone, and I’ve just been bitten by a rattlesnake, and I think I may have broken my leg.” He measured his breathing, kept each breath slow and deep to regulate his heart beat.

“I have a crew en route. Do you know where you are? A landmark or mile marker, something to make it easier for them to find you.”

“I’m off one sixty seven down Government Wash Road. Parked at the car park and walked up the trail heading east into Upper Government Wash where the new growth is.”

“Yes, sir. The crew knows where you are. They should be there in a few minutes. Please stay on the line with me until they reach you. You said you’re alone?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. I need you to remove your shoe and sock so your foot can swell without any hindrance. Are there any sticks or something near you can splint your leg with?”

“No.”

“Okay. Try to keep your leg as still as possible until help arrives. Can you tell me your name?”

“Jacob.”

“So Jacob, what brings you to the Vegas area?”

“I live here. Just playing tourist for a few days.” God these paramedics need to hurry up.

“That’s always fun. Tell me, it’s been a few minutes since you called, how does the injury look?”

Jacob didn’t want to look at his leg, he could barely feel it. When he glanced down his shin was already a deep purple and he couldn’t see the bite mark unless he moved. “It’s swelling, and I can’t feel my leg from the knee down.”

The moment of silence sent a shot of panic through Jacob. “Okay, I’ve let the paramedics know the situation. The reaction is normal.”

Jacob let out a stress filled sigh, as she continued talking until Jacob couldn’t stand to listen any longer. He swiped the screen, put the call on speaker and pulled up his texts.

Alex,

I’ve been bitten by a rattlesnake and I think I broke my leg. I should be okay the paramedics will be here soon. I don’t know where they’ll take me but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know.

---

Jacob heard the sirens not too far from his location. He hit send as he responded to the operator, “They’re here now.” His head spun as he sat up straighter.

“They’re with you now, treating the bite?”

“Not quite, but I hear the siren.” He tried to keep calm even as everything began spinning and his breathing began to get shallow.

“Can you tell what direction the sound is coming from?”

Jacob listened, trying to ignore the bounce back of the siren, ignore his head and lack of oxygen and focusing on the initial whoop. “It’s off to my left,” he panted attempting to get more air in his lungs, “maybe a hundred yards or so.”

“That’s good, Jacob. Try to breath slower, you sound like you’re starting to hyperventilate.” There was a moment of silence. “Okay, they think they are on the right trail. Listen for them to call you.”

No sooner had the dispatcher finished her sentence than Jacob heard his name being called. “I’m here!” He tried to keep still as he yelled for their attention. As the crunching of gravel beneath booted feet registered, two uniformed personnel rounded the corner. His body went limp as he passed out, his phone falling to the desert floor.