I walk through the bamboo forest with a spring in my step.

"Ahah! Just you TRY to catch the fastest fox in the world!" I shout, challenging all who can hear me.

Suddenly I hear a crack below my feet. I look down to see the ground giving out, and I fall into a deep, dark hole...

---

"Hey, Murphy! I think we gotter!"

"You better, or DeLemont is gonna be on us faster than you can say Mother Of Manticores!"

" 'Blah-blah-blah, blah blah.' "

I look up to see a woman's face a few feet above mine. She's smirking like you would not believe.

"Looks like we've finally caught a most slippery little canine. DeLemont will be pleased," she says.