Chapter 99

Perhaps the easiest way to escape was to go to higher ground.

I didn’t hesitate a second longer. I took advantage of the slim advantage we had and pushed Sebastian toward the embankment. It wasn’t very high, maybe twelve feet, but up there it was another world that promised a few more seconds of time.

“Go up! Fast! Straight up, let’s get out of her reach!” I explained.

He did not hesitate, and for a blind man, it must be admitted that he climbed with impressive speed and confidence. Mirko clung to my neck, and I grabbed the crying little dog as best I could in one hand to climb up too. Very close to the top, I threw Laika high with a not very gentle throw, and the cub yelped louder as she fell to the ground; then Mirko got off me and clung to the ledges. He was climbing much faster than me even though his legs were shaking and his tail was bristling like a mowed broom.

A blow to the calf destabilized me, and I lost my footing. I threw a kick and hit a nose. T