ON THE WINGS OF AN ANGEL
Guess what, folks? You don't have to wait so long for the next update, because here it is now!
This chapter now marks OtWooA as my longest story, or at any rate, the one with the greatest number of chapters.
Characters (with exceptions) © Disney
Story © unicorn-skydancer08
All rights reserved.
Chapter 24: The River
No doubt Pinocchio knew better than to run around pell-mell on a cold, windy day, least of all by himself. But the boy was so stunned and heartbroken over what he had just heard at the house that he simply had to get away from everyone and everything. So he ran, as fast as his little legs could carry him, not knowing where he was headed and not caring. Not too far behind, Duke was racing after him—and a very good thing the dog did just so, especially considering what would have happened otherwise.
For those of you who have been paying attention, you'll recall the local warning about moving water on a day like this, and a river so happened to run fairly close to Terence and Pinocchio's home, just at the beginnings of a broad forest. While not as wide or as deep as most rivers in that area, it was wide, deep, and fast enough to be dangerous, even in ideal weather. It was to the edge of this particular river that Pinocchio strayed in his disorderly run, and the ground was slick with mud.
You can more than likely guess what happened next, but I'll tell it all the same.
While Pinocchio had enough brains to not go all the way to the edge, there was one section where, unfortunately, the ground disappeared in a sheer drop, and there was no way for Pinocchio to see that drop until it was too late. Even then, the boy might have been all right if there wasn't so much mud, or if he at least had something to grab onto.
As a result, he slipped and skidded all the way into the icy water.
For a long, terrifying moment, it was impossible to tell which way was up. Pinocchio floundered about like a helpless fish; he tried to scream for help, but only a burst of bubbles came out of his mouth. Odd colors flashed before his eyes, and despite the constant flailing of his arms and legs, the current pushed him along wherever it wanted. When at last his head did breach the surface, he drew in a desperate gasp and then cried out at the top of his voice, "HELP! HELP ME!"
That was right about the time Duke made it to the river. Seeing his young master and friend in this predicament, the dog gave out a series of urgent barks before picking his way down the muddy slope.
As Pinocchio fought to keep his head above water, he recalled a past near-drowning experience. He had taken a tumble into the ocean, but Terence had been there to save him, and the young man wasn't here now. Likely enough, he had no idea Pinocchio was here to start with.
The current sucked Pinocchio underwater again, and it was a long time before he surfaced once more. Again he sent up a frantic cry, but there was no one around, no one to hear him. He continued to ride the flow, in spite of his best efforts to swim. The water was as cold as it was swift, and it wasn't long at all before Pinocchio felt his muscles begin to seriously ache and cramp up. Still, he gave it everything he got.
Just when the poor kid was going under for the third time, he felt something catch hold of his collar and pull him up. Craning his neck, he could only catch the barest glimpse of Duke, who was now in the water with him and holding the boy's collar firmly between his teeth.
"Duke!" Pinocchio sputtered.
Using all his strength, Duke managed to tow Pinocchio to a somewhat slower, shallower part of the river, near a cluster of rocks and overhanging branches. While the dog couldn't very well climb out from here, at least he was able to keep Pinocchio's head above the frothing surface while saving them both from being totally swept away.
Now all that was left to do was wait and hope that somebody would find them—and quickly.
Sobbing, coughing, shaking all over with stark terror and piercing cold, Pinocchio wailed to high heaven, "TERENCE! TERENCE!"