The Heartwood Gangsters don't cry

Ezekiel had barely regained all of his breath when she struck again. Like a snake, the girl was fast and persistent. She headed for his leg, and still recovering from the kick, his evasion wasn't fast enough to work. She grabbed onto his front leg and his knee buckled from under him. He fell to the ground, front legs bent at the knees, back legs still standing upright. She had him down, and he made an attempt to roll over onto her, but it was weaker than expected. Could he die here? What if she managed to kill him? He was trapped in this position, but that only made him want to fight harder. He pushed up his front legs, attempting to hit her with his own head from underneath.