The Rolling Intruder
A sudden streak of red darts right across the floorboards. Fast. Low to the ground. I do not flinch. I lunge forward with heavy steps and plant my front knuckle down to cut off its path. A firm rubber ball slams directly into my foot, wobbles, and bounces back against a wooden sofa leg. It stops dead. I lean over it, mouth wide open, letting out a sharp click of my teeth. The red sphere stays completely still under my shadow. Perimeter secured.