Lake Snakes

A cloud passed over the sun, casting a broad, dark shadow across the field. As the sun reappeared, he was just hanging there now, dangling off the tree stand. She stood up, stretched, walked over, mounted her horse, left the cover at the edge of the woods, and trotted across the field toward the hanging man.

"Charles." Again, a little louder. "Charles." Hearing a familiar voice, he opened his eyes, startled at seeing her face so close. She sat on her horse about three feet away. He tried to reach out, but his arms were numb and hung limp at his sides, barely moving. He could only watch as she turned her horse around and walked over to a tree. She dismounted and walked back to where he was hanging and picked up his rifle off the ground.

"Get me down," he ordered and realized how weak his voice sounded. He cleared his throat and loudly demanded, "Get me down now!" repeating the statement, trying to sound as if he had some power in the situation.

He looked down at her. She was smiling at him. He tried to change his tone, pleading, "Please, please help me." Gritting his teeth, he forced a smile, but his rage got the better of him.

"When I get down you're dead! You're dead!"

The threat was an echo she'd heard so many times already.

"Yeah," she continued to smile, "I know."

"I am going to kill you!" he vowed again.

"Not today." She pulled the trigger.