This is the fifth chapter of the short story I wrote called 'The Three-Legged Dog'. Please enjoy reading it. 

“Cooper! No!"

Jake's scream echoed through the stream. Just as RECTface calculatedly hid himself, it was none other than Cooper who burst through the backyard door. The neglected and forgotten old friend stood between Jake and the alligator without a moment's hesitation. 

​“"Woof! Woof! Woof!"

Cooper, his usual gentle demeanor gone, bared his sharp teeth and barked. As if to warn Jake not to touch him, he stood fiercely in front of the alligator's massive snout, his fur standing on end. While Cooper was buying time, his father, who had heard the screams and rushed out, shouted in shock at the sight before him.

"Jake! Back off!"

The alligator had no intention of letting its prey slip away. Its yellow eyes flashed, and with a flash of lightning, it opened its mouth and pounced on Cooper, who had been blocking its path.

"Woof!" 

With a shrill scream, the crocodile's snout sank deep into Cooper's right foreleg. The crocodile attempted its signature death roll, attempting to drag Cooper underwater. Amidst this chaos, his father grabbed a large stick and lunged at him.

"You monster! Let go!" 

Dad used all his strength to strike the alligator's head and mouth. After a series of brutal blows, each one so severe it made a thud, the alligator finally let go of Cooper and fled into the stream.

In the stillness, Jake, trembling, approached Cooper. But a gruesome sight awaited him. Cooper's front leg lay horribly crushed by the alligator's teeth, lying on the cold mud. Cooper, breathing heavily, couldn't even groan, staring at Jake. His eyes were still tender, as if trying to confirm Jake's safety.

"Ah... Cooper... Cooper..." 

Jake sobbed, hugging Cooper's bloodied head. Then, something caught Jake's eye.

Far away, near the road, from a safe distance, it was RECTface, watching the whole thing with impassive intent. The robot's eyes still glowed yellow. It stood, its smooth, unscathed body silent, as if gathering some interesting experimental data.

The robot was convenient. But it didn't love Jake. Jake finally realized. What he had traded for convenience had been a vast and sublime love. 

the three-legged dog - True Friend-Like Behavior(5/6)