Cat and Mouse
Prologue
The mouse was totally unaware, as it scurried across the floor, of what lay directly ahead. The cat licked its lips in anticipation, lying in wait just around the corner. As its prey darted past, the cat stretched one languid paw into the mouse's path and swatted – so quickly the mouse never even saw what hit it – sending its victim rolling backwards to where it had started.
The mouse, confused but undeterred, rose to its now-wobbly feet and began again. This time, the cat shot both paws out, batting the mouse from one to the other, playing with it. The one who watched from above them grinned with even more anticipation than the feline. The mouse let out a tiny squeal as it was tossed into the air in a macabre game of catch. When the cat finally allowed it to hit the ground, it began to crawl away, stunned into near-submission but still fighting for its life. Its adversary batted it back into range and let it crawl away over and over again, until it grew tired of the game.
Thwomp! One mighty paw made a direct, crushing connection and the game had ended. The one who watched chortled with amusement.
That's exactly what it'll be like; I'll play with them for awhile, have my fun and then let them think it's over. In the end, the final word will be mine, and I'll crush them worse than that mouse!
- - - - - -