Bitterroot Valley Enter, Pursued by a Memory

twitch did not give him the satisfaction of a verbal answer besides a laugh. the moment he settles—broad chest lowering, she clocks her tongue and shakes her head. he asked if he needed to close his eyes. to spin around—she needed none of it.

”nah,” she called lightly, voice drifting from somewhere a little further than she’d just been. “wouldn’t want you trippin’ over yourself before we even start.”
a twig snapped under her hind paw as she inched another step back. cheating. absolutely cheating. she didn’t even bother pretending otherwise.

she steps backward, then another, then another until she’s standing atop a fallen log. not running, just creating an early distance.

“mkay, you can count now.” she added from over her shoulder, already turning her trot into a lope, a steady gallop. she would be gone before he’d finished his first number.