SIXTY SECONDS

Rattle! Rattle!

Thoughts flashed across Amanda's mind. Images of her last birthday, the celebration was absolutely perfect. Everyone had a fantastic time so much so that no one wanted the party to end.

As Amanda and Adam criss-crossed Texas to their destination, Big Bend National Park, they sang Willie's, 'On The Road Again' so many times; until, they became hoarse. Music and laughter filled the rented RV. Laughing so hard, tears filled their eyes. Yet, thankful for the gas station that saved them from peeing their pants.

At the campsite, Amanda and Adam embraced the solitude, peace and quite and were one with nature. Amanda stared at the night sky with thousands of bright stars above. Witnessing their first shooting-star, they hugged and made a wish.

Recalling the campfire, in the cold desert air, Amanda and Adam snuggled next to the fire appreciating the warmth. While the chocolate s'mores smelled heavenly, the first bite exceeded Amanda's expectations.

Piercing through the arid desert, Amanda's deep painful groan and horrific scream bombarded her ears. Biting her lip, Amanda wondered why she acted so damned capriciously. Unlike her normal behavior, Amanda quickly accepted the adventurous trip invitation without thoroughly doing her usual and typical research and homework.

As far as the eye could see, not a single cloud in the azure sky could be counted. Blindingly, the sun's rays seared and radiated, driving the desert temperature up over 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweat dripped from Amanda's strawberry blonde hair and down her sunburned face.

Two seconds elapsed!

The venom filled her body.

Amanda's heart raced.

Four seconds!

Amanda became nauseated.

Weakness and lightheadedness symptoms started. Amanda reached for her knife and cell phone that was in her right vest pocket. The cell phone was out of range. There wasn't a signal or connection. Frustrated! Amanda winced and scrunched up her nose. Angrily and painfully, she tossed her cell phone.

Intuitively, Amanda knew that cutting her leg and sucking out the venom from the wound wouldn't help, ironically, recalling the scene from a favorite movie, 'True Grit'. Knowing that a cut to the wound would cause infection, Amanda dropped the knife.

Wondering, "Why do movies display false dramatization and information? Like sucking venom from a wound that would introduce the poison to a person's mouth; in turn, it would introduce bacteria to their body."

Where was Adam? Amanda questioned and called out. There was no response.

Fifteen seconds later!

Spotting Adam's boots twenty feet to her left, Amanda screamed, "Adam! Adam! Adam! "

Adam wasn't moving and appeared lifeless or unconscious.

Painfully, Amanda cried, "Help! Help me!"

But, her words were trapped inside her dry mouth. Amanda's mouth barely moved. Her mouth felt like it was stuffed with cotton. Tears filled her eyes. Amanda's mouth began to foam. Drooling, the foam rolled down her chin.

Twenty seconds!

In extreme pain. Amanda was scarcely lucid and aware of her situation. Knowing that she needed immediate medical assistance; yet, she was thirty-five miles from the nearest facility. Overwhelmed by the fact. Amanda's heart frantically pounded.

"Who's going to look after my dog, Pepe, and my cat, Poe?" Amanda ruminated.

Thirty-five seconds!

Amanda's vision blurred. Hardly able to see, Amanda couldn't see the vulture circling above.

Again, Amanda attempted to scream, "Help! Help! Help me!"

Unfortunately, there wasn’t a person around that could hear her begging and pleading for help.

Forty seconds!

Lying down on the ground, Amanda's breathing became labored and shallow. Numbness took over her extremities..

In excruciating pain, Amanda whimpered.

Fifty-five seconds!

Vomiting and unable to see, the vulture circled closer to her resting place on the ground.

Fifty-eight seconds!

As Amanda passed out, urine puddled under and around her.

Sixty seconds!