Summary: Striker and Maria play one of their favorite games.
Maria covered her mouth trying to stifle her giggles.
"Where are you, little girl?" Striker's voice growled deviously. "You can't hide from me, I'll find you."
Maria listened as it sounded like he was getting farther away before she peeked out from behind the couch. Once she saw no one was there, she proceeded to step out of her hiding place when...
"GOTCHA!"
She shrieked and ran around the living room laughing as Striker chased after her on all fours. After a couple minutes or so, he pounced and caught her in his arms when she tried to jump away and made sure to shield her body when they hit the floor.
"Ah ha! Now I have you." Striker growled playfully with a devious grin; Maria merely giggled. "And now... I claim my meal."
"Oh no!" Maria gasped with false fear. "Please don't eat me, Mr. Mad Dog!"
"Too late!" Striker then pretended to bite her on the throat making Maria laugh harder. He eventually stopped to let her catch her breath and gave her a kiss on the cheek before they hugged.
For context, the game they were playing, Mad Dog, is a nod to Laura Ingalls Wilder's book Little House in the Big Woods. She would actually play that game with her father and sister.