You decide to run into the clearing. You count three vulpix on your tail. If they are hunting in a pack with their mates, then there should be at least one more vulpix out in the grass. And that vulpix would probably be hiding in the tall brush on either side of that game path. Running into the open will give at least the option to see the fourth vulpix coming.
You dash out into the clearing. The ground in this clearing is rocky and the grass is short. The sound of roaring water is louder. The vulpix are still chasing you; maybe you should see how far the vulpix are behind. You don’t have much time to think. What do you do?