Alternate start for “Choice”

A split second that would change his life forever.
One second in time, one decision, and your life alters course.
He would probably die today anyway so it didn’t matter.
He had driven so far north that it was cold in July. Some where near the northern most point of the upper peninsula of Michigan, he had stopped to rest and drink.
He had been somewhat drunk as he drove through the state and had no idea where he was.
But it was 4 in the morning and cold as hell for this time of the year.
He had no warm clothing and the truck heater didn’t work.
Actually nothing on the 15 year old battered Ford worked except the engine and transmission.
It didn’t matter. He had no destination.
He wouldn’t even be here if he had not started drinking again.
But he had and couldn’t stop now. Not today anyway.
He was a 55 year old, on again, off again alcoholic.
On the move, going to a place he would never find, for a reason he would never understand.
He took a drink from the pint of vodka and grimaced.
“Why do I buy this cheap shit? I’ve got money.” To no one in particular, because no one else was there.
He was completely lost, on a gravel road. In woods so thick they blocked any light from the moon. He could have been inside a box at night it was so dark.
But he left the lights and engine off and shivered.
They were coming. He know that. He clutched the old Walther automatic in his right hand. It gave him comfort.
It had all started with the gun anyway.