Chapter 7

Yes, that's exactly how it happened. Heero couldn't believe how so rediculous of an occurrence got him into this mess. It was so unbelievable and far-fetched, if someone told him this happened to them, he would have told them to leave him alone.

'Run.'

The only thing on Heero's mind at that moment was getting to that bridge. He could see it ahead, ethereal as it was in the rain. It almost seemed to be waiting for him. He knew every step he took brought him closer and closer to liberation. If he could only just get across!

He was abruptly snapped out of his thoughts. Something was holding him down and keeping him from running.

Looking down, Heero cried out in surprise. One of the dogs had their teeth mauled into his ankle. It was the repulsive-looking dog with the black spots. It growled and latched deeper onto Heero's ankle.

"Get off me!" Heero shouted, trying to shake the dog loose from his foot. When that didn't work, Heero brutally kicked the dog firmly in its side.

He looked back for a split second. Apparently, one of the soldiers released the dog from its chain to chase Heero on ahead.

"Go get 'em, Jacko!" Heero heard the soldier Jeske yelling from down the path.

Hearing that, and alarmed that the soldiers were gaining on him, Heero once again kicked the hideous dog in the head as hard as he could without loosing his balance.

Jacko let out a loud whimper and then freed Heero from the constraints of its jaw. Heero kicked Jacko one last time for good measure, then looked down at the revolting yellow tooth stuck into his skin. Apparently, Jacko left him a good-bye present.

Taking his eyes off the ghastly sight, Heero once again made for the bridge. It was so close; Heero could hear the rainwater, though it was vaguely beginning to clear up, splashing into the river underneath the bridge. Just a few more meters and he would make it.

'Come on…'

Five meters more.

Three.

One.

He stood on the stone bridge, leaned over to hold on to the small, delicate railing for support, and looked down into the dark, murky water. A fiery, electrifying feeling of achievement surged throughout his body as he watched the little ripples the rain made in the lake and over the sharp rocks. His legs felt ready to give way; he couldn't believe he actually arrived!

'I finally made it. I made it to my destination!'

There was only one problem.

By the time he realized what was going on, Heero heard a deep growling behind him. When he turned around, the massive rottweiler leaped for his throat, a canine's customary quick and easy kill.

Heero gasped and backed up. The dog came hurdling towards him through the air, jaw gaping open and teeth ready to rip into its prey's body.

Heero dropped his unloaded gun and reached out with both hands to stop the dog from mangling his neck. He braced his arms for the worst as the dog's weight came crashing down onto his body.

He felt something snap in his left wrist, causing a quick, then suddenly dull, pain. The rottweiler's two powerful front paws extended, barreled onto Heero's chest, and pushed him far more backward than the young boy was comfortable with. Sure, Heero succeeded in stopping his throat from being ripped out, but now he was inches away from toppling over into the water!

As he desperately struggled to keep his balance, Heero could feel the guard rail driving agonizingly into his back. It was simply a losing battle.

Groaning with the extra 180 pounds devastating his near-collapsing body, Heero couldn't fight the dog any longer. He gave in, allowing his body to get pushed over the brink, over the guard railing, down into the dark depths of the lake.

He braced himself as best he could for the impact the freezing water was going to give him. He could already hear a splash as the rottweiler, which also fell over the edge, made contact with the water. Yes, this was going to be interesting; how was Heero Yuy going to survive this one?

'Simple,' Heero answered his own question. 'He wasn't going to.'