Free

Part 2

Terrin struggled to balance on the slippery boulders. She could hear off in the distance the sound of something, someone closing the gap she'd hoped would remain at least until she passed the precarious sea of granite. Her body shivered now almost uncontrollably, skin goose-bumped trying to stave off the cold. Wet coat weighed on her shoulders from the prior downpour at the start of her escape.

"Father God, help me please!" She began to sob. The salt of her tears stung her left eye. Was it still her eye?

Since realizing what was done against her will, Terrin dared not touch higher than her left cheek. Her vision now was a mix of natural and electronic. She'd been one of the hundreds, surgically augmented one way or another.

Does God still see me as human? Will he blame me for what those madmen did to me? Deep fear grasped her heart. The thought of living a life out of God's will gave rise to new fears. Pushing them down for the moment, Terrin prepared herself for the next successful leap toward freedom, she hoped.

Cannon had spotted his shivering target up ahead. Increasing his speed, he was all in for the jump just six strides away. The dog estimated it could reach Terrin by the time she cleared two of the boulders she'd slowly been navigating. Springing forward, Cannon focused on the flattest rock surface nearest to Terrin. Effortlessly he landed.

Michelson, now himself navigating his first granite obstacle, held his breath watching Cannon glide through the air. His chest filled with pride, watching the animal give chase. That's it Cannon, go get her for me, boy! Michelson thought, doing his best to miscalculate his footing.

Terrin turned just in time to glimpse Cannon land. Even she marveled at the dog's agility. Determined, though, not to be captured, not wanting to know the full reason she was experimented on, Terrin snapped her head back around, scanning for options in front of her. The bionic optical implant registered sixty feet to the nearest patch of grass; no good. She'd need to clear three more of the oversized rocks to reach it. Option two was the white-capped narrow river one boulder away to her right. The sounds of the rushing water became hypnotic, causing everything to feel as if it was happening in slow motion.

I'm already soaked and I'd rather take my chances with the current than that mad-looking dog and soldiers closing in behind me. Either way, it's going to hurt. Those were the words that sounded in Terrin's head as she gave one more quick glance at her pursuers.

Cannon barked at Terrin as she battled with her choices. He waited not only for her to show some sign as to the next direction this chase would go but for his partner Michelson to get closer. His command had been to only track. Still, Cannon understood orders changed instantly and his mouth drooled the more, hoping for a chance to sink his teeth into some of the shivering girl's flesh.

"Oh God don't let me fall!" Terrin shouted leaping onto the next rock. Landing dead center she snuck a peek over her shoulder, just in time to see Cannon backing up, preparing to lunge in her direction.

On pure reflex to seeing the dog advance her way, Terrin took three steps and pushed off with now weakened legs. Her body rose with arms flapping like wings, desperately trying to create lift. Upon her descent, a low growl threatened to engulf her right ear.

Cannon has seen her projected escape path and too, calculated the number of leaps needed to close the gap between them. By the time Terrin's left foot was off of the rock, the dog was seconds from landing on it too. Within heartbeats of watching Terrin take flight, Cannon had been airborne again. The thrill of fetching her fueled him. Michelson had given the new fetch command the instant Terrin had glanced toward the river.

Both focused on their target, neither caring of the possible danger ahead, Terrin and Cannon crashed into the river's white caps. Pain from a chunk of hair being yanked out made her scream The sound of the roaring water, soon after silenced it. The force of the moving water forced the lock from between Cannon's teeth as he paddled to keep his head above water.

Michelson, stood poised on a nearby rock, his rifle aimed at Terrin who repeatedly broke the water's surface only to be pulled under again by the shifting current.

"Come on, pop up one more time. Our orders were to take you alive, but if that's not an option, you're never to leave these grounds. Come on, be a good girl; pop up one more time," Michelson pleaded. But Terrin didn't pop up.