Brush of Death

The guard watched the unconscious woman sink into the water, and then he picked up the empty gunny sack, hoisting it over his shoulder before departing from the scene. 

Anastasia could feel her body being pulled towards the bottom, and the water stung her already wide-open eyes. She had taken a deep breath before falling into the water, granting her precious additional moments to free her legs. 

She attempted to use the dagger to cut the ropes binding her legs, but in her effort, the dagger slipped from her grasp and sank deeper into the water. Not knowing what else to do, she mustered all her strength to force her legs apart before she succeeded, as most of the work of tearing the ropes had already been done.