LA- Oxen Encounter 7

"Damn cowards!" The beast finally shouted, gaze bouncing between the two dogs, trying to choose its target. "Dogs are always spineless cowards..." 

"That c-could be because we don't have too k-keen an interest in dying!" The little spaniel replied shakily from the safety of a stone entryway, too narrow for the ox to follow through. "W-we didn't pick the fight anyway! You did! W-we were just passing through!" 

But it was no use reasoning with the agitated creature now. Without another sound, the bovine was on the move again, this time rounding the courtyard to pick up speed on the smooth, uneven stones. It was clear the ox was having troubles gaining traction and keeping steady in this environment. Sunday took the time in between to find the location of the silver collie and found him hidden in a similar structure, staring her dead in the eyes. His gaze seemed to plead for her to make the next move, but being leader was taking a toll on her. She's never been responsible for someone else; her plans were more suited for a single executor and she didn't know how well her tailor-made tactics translated to a second person.

Her mind raced and her breathing got more shallow. This stranger didn't seem as much a runner as she was, what if what worked for her killed him? Sunday hesitantly exited the doorway to find her next run path, but neglected to remember where the ox was in its rounds. The beast promptly removed itself from the loop and made a b-line for the spaniel. With a jump and a shriek, Sunday was off, but the next building she had in mind proved further away than she anticipated and the ox faster than it looked. The wind blew rapidly through her fur and her legs ached from so much sudden activity. But the thunderous sound was gaining steadily and panicked tears sprung in the corners of her eyes as for a second, she became fully aware of her own mortality.