Bark exploded into the air. Dust free, stuck together wet bark, the kind that only morning condensation can create. Two breaths to each step. They were short drags followed by one long exhale which wasn't really that long but compared to the suck in, made the release seem eternal. Thoughtless arms cut through frosted air, completing the artistry of the movement. The canvas was no more abstract than the Tuesday morning it was painted on.

The moment lived in ascending seconds, climbing a never ending stairway in Fabians watch. He floated through the turns, skipping no stride. He was firing on all cylinders- today.

Theodore was near.

The morning was quiet and except for passing cars became desolate. An isolation Fabian was all to familiar with. His legs burned. Pain was prevalent. Partly from shaving with a single bladed bic onto dry skin but entirely from covering himself with pepper spray. His small nicks from the razor became monumental. He anticipated a fight. His thin, vein riddled stems were now purple. But, no matter. If Theodore were to attack, he would poison himself in his own vanity. Atleast that's how Fabian defended his actions within his diary, which he long-ago entitled Fabe's Frockery.

The house drew near. Fabian's attention was at full mast. His preparation was at last paying off, as he dodged a hanging branch without removing his gaze on Theodore's domain. The plan was simple: Get Theodore to chase. Jump the Amazon River 150 yards down stream where a chained bobcat would be waiting. Hide and watch. Scare Teddy's doggy brain out and never have to worry about his bloodthirstyness again.

Theodore slept a deep sleep. He was in a place where cool wheat grass brushed his short-haired belly. He drooled a sweet liquid which he would often slurp back up. The sun was bright but not blinding, even to his absent minded stares up to the heavens. The ground was soft. He was running on mud but for some reason it wasn't sticking to his freshly manicured paws. "HEY!!!!"

Theodore awoke from his dream with a murderous rage.

"Hey Teddy Bear...Come get some!!" Fabian gasped across the street in a run-sapped voice only a resting doggy could have picked up on.

The chase was on. Theodore tore through his yard and rounded the curb, his nails gliding, fish-tailing him into the recycle bin. He recovered and ripped across the street. Loose concrete was flying everywhere. He pulled onto the trail a few strides behind Fabian with eyes burning with violence. If you had been filming this scene with a camera with a red-eye remover, it wouldn't have worked. Theodore's eyes contained inferno.

When Theodore caught up, just before he spring-loaded his attack, Fabian pulled left and in a steeple like maneuver launched himself over the Amazon River. He barely made it half-way and collapsed under the muddy water. The bobcat hovered above. His jump was too short. The cat had been positioned for a jump of another ten feet down the trail.

Theodore watched from the trail above as Fabian recieved slashing paws to the rear and lower back. He enjoyed the scene, putting himself back into a dreamlike trace he lived in moments before. Fabian's screams could be heard by no one as he crawled away from the cained death kitten-