7. Hallucinations

"At least they are still alive," Doc said in his doctor's office. "But still unconscious."

He took a towel and cleaned his hands. "But something is strange."

"What's strange?" Rango asked and had to yawn loudly again. It was very late in the night and it hadn't been a simple thing for him to transport the four gunslingers to town with the help of some other (tired) people.

Now they lay in beds in Doc's house, but Rango had to admit that their behavior was very strange. The four men seemed to sleep like normal, but from time to time, their hands and fingers twitched like they would have nerve disorders.

Slowly the doctor and the sheriff walked through the bed rows.

The mysterious killer hadn't seemed to start his "work" with Stump, Chorizo and Bill. But Kinski, who had hanged on the robe, gave more cause of concern. Thoughtfully Rango looked at the IV line and infusion bag on a little table next to him, what Doc had removed from his arm. It was half filled with Kinski's blood.

"Who was that thing?" Rango thought to himself.

Doc went next to the sleeping rabbit and grabbed his arm. "Look at this," Doc said and pointed under the fur. "Stitch in the vein. Now we know what kind of needle was used."

Suddenly mumbling words were hearable in the room.

"No, …. No..."

Rango looked at Kinski, who was shaking his head gently. But his eyes were still closed.

Carefully the chameleon came closer. "Who was that?"

But the rabbit didn't reply.

"No… no… not my blood… NO!"

"I guess he is hallucinating," Doc guessed and tried to calm him down.

"No!"

Rango held the gunslinger's shoulder. "Tell me! Who was it?"

"No chance, sheriff," Doc stopped him. "They aren't fit to be questioned. I will give them a sedative."

With disappointment Rango bit his underlip. He had a few eyewitnesses, but they were unable to speak a word.

His glance fell on little needles which they had found around the four men. With big thinking wrinkle Rango eyed it. "Maybe you were right, Doc," he said. "These little arrows had to have been coated with a drug."

He looked back at the four martyred gunslingers. "That would explain their strange behavior at least."

"Possible," Doc agreed while he was filling some syringes. "But it would be helpful to know what kind of drug the guy had administered them. Maybe I could give them an antidote if it was a poison."

Rango nodded. "Indeed."

"Rango!" The door opened and Beans stood in the door frame. "Rango, you have to come! Something isn't right."

Rango sighed with a wail. "What next comes today now?"

"Come with me," Beans said without explanations and pulled him out of the house. On the street they came to a halt and the lizard girl pointed at the end of the street. "Look."

Rango narrowed his eyes. First, he just saw darkness, but then the slight silhouette of a snake became visible.