[ WP ] A novelization of tic-tac-toe .

It all began with the drawing of four straight lines on a crisp sheet of white paper. Each line parallel to another and perpendicular to two others. The center was a perfect square. 
 
 I had drawn the grid, so I made the first move. I chose the bottom right hand square, placing my X within its three borders. 
 
 My opponent grimaced as they took the pencil I proffered. They placed an O in the center square. 
 
 I smiled, retrieving the borrowed graphite case from their grasp, and placing a second X onto the field, kitty corner from my first. Victory was nearly assured. 
 
 Brows and lips turning down, my adversary snatched the writing implement from my fingers and may a hurried O directly above my initial X. A set back, yes, but only marginal. 
 
 Retrieving the No. 2, I blocked their pathway to success, marking X below my second. Now they were in a squeeze. 
 
 As persumed, my rival placed a circular barricade two spaces left of the game's original mark. 
 
 `` Cat's.'' I muttered beneath my breath as I stopped their last chance at victory by placing an X in the remaining corner. 
 
 Frustrated, they took the pencil and etched their final O followed by a large C that covered the board. 
 
 The game was over. Both sides had lost. The board had won again.
