"No! I could have gotten him!" Veronica said between clenched teeth. "I almost had him!" She paused for a moment, watching him. "Okay, fine," she said to herself. "I'll just lunge him again." She stood up and got closer to him. This time, however, Veronica didn't creep up behind him. Instead, she ran toward him and jumped to her feet. She wouldn't let her meal get away again.