Ptff.
Just before Baloo could turn the corner, something bounced off his leg and pricked his lower back.
Without a glance, Baloo already knew what those were. He yanked the tranquilizer dart from his back and sprinted as quickly as possible to the nearest dumpster.
He ripped one of the double-flap lids off and gripped the middlemost ridge tightly, now carrying a makeshift shield. He turned his back to the dumpster once he heard splashes and heavy footsteps approaching.
Ptff-ptff! Ptff!
Another volley of darts flew straight into the plastic shield, piercing it but failing to hit their intended target.
"I'm no slave!" Baloo's gravel-filled voice roared and hissed.
At the same time, Baloo wrapped his opposite hand around the dumpster's lock bar. The metal groaned as he tried to pry it from the heavy, fully-loaded dumpster. But it didn't pop off until Baloo's tail joined in the tug, ripping the farther joint apart.
