Chalk River

I traced a thick ribbon of sky-blue chalk curving across the sunlit plaza asphalt, drawn in looping bends like a dry river. Lowering my head to the starting mark, I nudged my weight forward and flexed my body into the first sharp arc. I did not rush. Turn after turn, I aligned each segment with the painted curves, flowing through narrow switchbacks and sweeping wide loops until my tail cleared the final swirl. Blue chalk dust coated my claws and underbelly. Resting at the drawn delta, I let out a low, resonant rumble of satisfaction.