Sly Fox Sand Dunes primera

their game shifted back and forth, one of them chasing and one of them dodging, and the longer they played the less nervous mercedes became. she saw now there was no reason to be afraid of the stranger or her antics. she had not meant her any ill-will at all! the yearling let out a few chuffs, or some coy sounds, as she dove to tag her new friend.

the betrayal came suddenly — when the stranger was the one chasing — and the pair were atop one tall, rounded sand dune. mercedes felt the now-familiar touch of the stranger and was about to let out a chuckle when she noticed how forceful this attempt was, and the abrupt shifting of the sand beneath her feet.

down she went! her pale legs kicking, bending like a spider that had been swatted; she felt the cushion of the sandy surface beneath her spine as she tumbled, and tucked her chin, which only exacerbated her rolling. when she finally came to a stop mercedes was on her belly with her legs splayed out like a starfish. it hadn't hurt, but she was now dizzy and feeling confused by the spinning of the earth.

her companion landed beside her not long after, on her back, and mercedes shot them a look of confusion that then shifted to hurt, before blinking and trying to scrub the sand from her eyes. was that all part of the game too?