Ascension by Bailey Bradford (desktop ebook reader txt) 📕

two hours into his misadventure and Gideon was ready to drop. He was exhausted, hot and miserable—and hungry—really, really hungry. The sun was unrelenting, bright and strong as it shone down on him.

Assault by sunlight. That’s how I’ll die. It sure felt like the rays were pelting him, making it a personal attack. If he wanted to roll in self-pity, he’d go with the belief that even the elements were out to get him.

“Scorpions, fire, killer sun and heat…” He could barely speak past his dry throat, but the silence was driving him nuts. “No water, no food, no sleep.” Well, he was too pathetic for himself. Gideon stopped walking. His feet were so sore he was afraid to look at them. He stood, just waiting. He wasn’t normally such a negative person. Even when everything had gone to hell with Andrew, he’d still found a silver lining.

It was hard to find one now. He hung his head and the duffle slipped from his fingers. The thud as it hit the ground stirred something in Gideon’s memory. Hope bubbling up, he squatted and opened the bag.

“Yes! Oh thank the gods!” The bottle of water was a little over halfway full, and it was hot. He didn’t care. He pawed through the bag but didn’t find any food. No surprise, since he didn’t remember packing any in there.

He also took out a T-shirt and quickly fastened it around his head in a manner he’d seen a survival guy do on TV. It would protect his scalp and ears, and if he stretched it just so, he could cover most of his face except for his eyes.

That would wait. He wanted a drink of water.

Gideon opened the bottle carefully. There was always a chance he was exaggerating the danger, but he feared death was an actual possibility, stranded as he was. He considered changing into a pair of jeans to protect his legs, but it was simply not possible in the heat. Stripping down to nothing, now that sounded like a good plan, though he knew better than to do it. Some parts of him weren’t quite as tan as others, and there were dangly bits that no man wanted to have sunburned. He was no exception.

After a few small sips of the water, Gideon forced himself to re-cap the bottle and put it away. It had done little to quench his thirst, but he wasn’t going to chug it all down. He looked at the items in the duffle.

Birth certificate, bank account info, the family photos, notes from Andrew. Clothes. A little over half a bottle of water. Boy, I’m fucked if I don’t find someone to help me out or at least a creek to drink from soon.

For a moment, he entertained the vision of some hikers finding his body twenty years from now—well, his skeletal remains, rather. That’d scare the hell out of someone. Or maybe not, what with all the dead bodies, real and fake, seen on TV and in movies.

And he didn’t need to be so morbid.

Gideon considered burying the bag so he could shift and travel as a bear. There didn’t seem to be anyone around who would spot him and shoot him.

It just wasn’t worth the risk. He stood up and put the bag over his shoulder. Then he started walking again.

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About the Author

 

 

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn’t happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey’s brain demanding to be let out.

Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey’s office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey’s presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

Email: [email protected]

Bailey loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.

Also by Bailey Bradford

Breaking the Devil

Dark Nights and Headlights

Texas and Tarantulas

Belt Buckles and Cowboy Boots

Southwestern Shifters: Rescued

Southwestern Shifters: Relentless

Southwestern Shifters: Reckless

Southwestern Shifters: Rendered

Southwestern Shifters: Resilience

Southwestern Shifters: Reverence

Southwestern Shifters: Revolution

Southwestern Shifters: Revenge

Southwestern Shifters: Reluctance

Southwestern Shifters: Renounced

Southwestern Shifters: Retrograde

Southern Spirits: A Subtle Breeze

Southern Spirits: When the Dead Speak

Southern Spirits: All of the Voices

Southern Spirits: Wait Until Dawn

Southern Spirits: Aftermath

Southern Spirits What Remains

Southern Spirits: Ascension

Southern Spirits: Whirlwind

Love in Xxchange: Rory’s Last Chance

Love in Xxchange: Miles To Go

Love in Xxchange: Bend

Love in Xxchange: What Matters Most

Love in Xxchange: Ex’s and O’s

Love in Xxchange: A Bit of Me

Love in Xxchange: A Bit of You

Love in Xxchange: In My Arms Tonight

Love in Xxchange: Where There’s a Will

Love in Xxchange: My Heart to Keep

Leopard’s Spots: Levi

Leopard’s Spots: Oscar

Leopard’s Spots: Timothy

Leopard’s Spots: Isaiah

Leopard’s Spots: Gilbert

Leopard’s Spots: Esau

Leopard’s Spots: Sullivan

Leopard’s Spots: Wesley

Leopard’s Spots: Nischal

Leopard’s Spots: Justice

Leopard’s Spots: Sabin

Leopard’s Spots: Cliff

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Chaps and Hope

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Ropes and Dreams

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Saddles and Memories

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Fences and Freedom

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Riding and Regrets

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Broncs and Bullies

Mossy Glenn Ranch: Hay and Heartbreak

Spotless: Hide

Spotless: Hunt

Spotless: Home

Spotless: Heart

Coyote’s Call: Off Course

Coyote’s Call: In from the Cold

Valen’s Pack: Run with the Moon

Valen’s Pack: Exodus

The Vamp for Me: My Life Without Garlic

The Vamp for Me: Don’t Stake My Life on It

The Vamp for Me: Sunshine is Overrated

Yes, Forever: Part One

Yes, Forever: Part Two

Yes, Forever: Part Three

Yes, Forever: Part Four

Yes, Forever: Part Five

What’s his Passion?: Unexpected Places

What’s his Passion?: Unexpected Moments