Mary Lou backed up a little. Evelyn was massive, easily matching her old length of 19 feet, but Mary Lou was not one to back down from a fight. Now that she had reverted back into an alligator, Mary Lou knew she wouldn't be able to travel far. This pond was her home, and it was not big enough for the two of them. Evelyn may have had a size advantage, but Mary Lou had experience. She had been fighting with other male gators for her whole life. She hoped her speed and ferocity would make up for the difference in size.
Evelyn slowly advanced towards Mary Lou. Adam hung back behind her, watching from a safe distance. Adam had the qualities of a good mate, and was clearly worth fighting for. Mary Lou continued to back away slowly, drawing Evelyn into more shallow water. She hoped to get Evelyn's massive body bogged down in the mud while she was still able to swim, increasing her speed advantage. When she thought they were close enough to the shore, Mary Lou began to circle around Evelyn, looking for an opening. Evelyn watched her carefully as she circled, occasionally snapping at her when she swam too close.
Finally, Mary Lou saw her chance. Evelyn seemed distracted by something on the shore, and Mary Lou sprang towards her, intending to grab a hold of Evelyn's hide. Suddenly, Mary Lou felt a sharp pain in her thigh. She quickly retreated, and tried to assess the damage. Mary Lou was surprised to see a large metal dart in her thigh. As she was looking at her leg, two more darts appeared on her hip and tail. Mary Lou began to feel sleepy, as well as confused.
Mary Lou tried to find the source of the darts, and looked to the shoreline. On the bank of the lake, she saw a large crowd of people watching the alligators. Several of them had long metal guns. Their uniforms were identical - a tan brown shirt and shorts adorned with a logo she would never forget - that of the City Zoo.
No, Mary Lou thought drowsily. I was so close. I was almost free.
Now Mary Lou realized what had distracted Evelyn on the shore. She turned back to her, and saw that Evelyn was slowly sinking beneath the water in a drugged haze. Several men in zoo uniforms had entered the water beside her, and were slowly pulling her onto the shore. Adam was beside her, snapping lazily at the zoo staff that approached him. But he, too, was drugged, and was easily subdued. Mary Lou heard splashing, and saw more men approaching her. She tried fighting it, but the drugs were two powerful, and soon she joined her companions in an uneasy slumber.