Unstable Target

A faded tennis ball sat wedged between two paving stones. Inert. Fuzz matted with dry grit. I struck the felt with one foreclaw to test its density. It yielded, broke loose, and rolled down the asphalt incline. Unscheduled motion. I closed the distance in four strides. It bounced off a crack, veering toward the drainage channel. I cut the angle. Slapped my right foot down squarely across its crest. The rubber flattened beneath my weight, grinding against the concrete curb until it seized. Motion terminated. I kept my talons buried in the felt.