Page 51 of Owned By Two

Its fur was dense and oily and its claws had evolved into pads that it used to swim faster through the water.

It was not usually dangerous, especially since it rarely came out during the daytime.

In fact, itnevercame out during the daytime as, although it was a keen swimmer, it was cumbersome on land.

It was not known for its aggression.

For some reason, it had its eye fixed on Lizzy… and I was in its way.

It attempted to shake me free but I reached out with my other hand and grasp its other leg.

Its front claws snapped around Lizzy’s ankle and as I yanked on the creature, it yanked Lizzy under the surface.

She hadn’t had time to take a gulp of oxygen the way I had and lashed out at the monster with weak flailing limbs.

She glanced down and spotted the creature’s bright red eyes and screamed, losing what small amounts of oxygen she still had.

I raised the creature’s leg toward my face and bit into it.

The creature screamed a high-pitched shriek that was deafening beneath the water’s surface.

It lost its grip as Lizzy swam hurriedly for the surface.

The creature attempted to snatch her once more but she was already out of range.

I held on tight to the creature and yanked it down toward me.

It clawed at me, its nails scarring my scales, but it would not do any serious harm.

The most dangerous outcome for me was drowning, and that was a very real possibility… unless I managed to shut the creature rightnow.

I raised the creature’s underbelly to my face and buried my teeth into it again and again.

It tore at my face as I continued to bury my fangs into it.

Blood gushed from its body, forming a cloud of black about me.

I just bit harder, tearing chunks out of it, until I had almost bitten through the creature’s entire belly.

It finally, dying, lost enough blood to pass unconscious.

I unfurled the creature's limbs from me and swam up to the surface.

My lungs were burning.

As I reached the surface, I threw back my head and gasped for oxygen.

I cast around, disorientated, and was relieved to see Lizzy standing on the embankment, two yards from the water’s edge.

She was still in her underwear and marched back and forth, not quite sure where to go or what to do.

I swam towards her and emerged from the pool.

Her hands were on me immediately, pressing and prying, touching at the blood that dripped from me.

“You’re bleeding!” she cried. “You’re bleeding!”

“It’s not my blood. I’m fine.”

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