Chapter 1 - I'VE GOT YOU
The rattlesnake struck before Arthur Hale could think.
Noah sat beside his yellow toy truck on the warm backyard patio, one hand resting on the plastic cab.
The snake’s head shot forward.
Arthur saw the open mouth.
Saw the toddler.
Saw the distance between them disappear.
He moved.
His left forearm cut through the space between Noah and the snake.
The bite landed there instead.
Pain exploded up Arthur’s arm.
He gasped.
His knees bent.
But he did not pull away from Noah.
“Grandpa!”
Arthur grabbed the two-year-old around the torso with his free arm.
“Back! Back!”
He yanked Noah away.
The yellow truck flipped onto its side.
The snake released and dropped to the patio.
Arthur turned his entire body between Noah and the coiled animal.
His bitten arm burned.
His fingers began trembling.
Noah screamed into his shoulder.
Arthur lifted him.
“I’ve got you.”
He stumbled toward the open sliding glass door.
The kitchen lights glowed beyond it.
Three steps.
Two.
Behind them, the snake moved.
Arthur heard the dry rattle.
He reached the doorway.
His injured arm shook harder.
His knees weakened.
Noah wrapped both arms around his neck.
“Grandpa…?”
Arthur caught the doorframe with his good hand.
The snake raised its head.
Arthur turned again.
Put his back toward Noah.
His body between the child and danger.
The snake lunged.
Arthur threw up his injured arm.
Then someone screamed from inside the kitchen.
“DAD!”
Arthur’s daughter, Claire Hale, slammed the sliding door shut just as the snake struck the glass.
The impact snapped against the pane.
Arthur collapsed onto one knee.
Still holding Noah.
Claire grabbed her son.
“Give him to me!”
Arthur hesitated.
“Noah?”
“He’s okay.”
“No bite?”
“No.”
Only then did Arthur release him.
Claire pulled Noah against her chest.
Arthur looked through the glass.
The snake coiled on the patio.
His own reflection stared back at him.
Gray hair.
White face.
Sweat.
Then he looked at his arm.
No blood.
Two faint puncture marks.
And a swelling that seemed to be growing while he watched.
Claire already had 911 on speaker.
“Rattlesnake bite,” she said.
“My father. Sixty-five. Conscious. Toddler not bitten.”
Arthur leaned against the cabinet.
Then heard Noah crying:
“Grandpa.”
Arthur lifted his good hand.
May you like
“I’m here.”
He had no idea that saving Noah would be the simplest part of what came next.
