A Strip of Chrome

I circled the tall cylindrical wire basket, stepping lightly on my talons across the hardwood. Slanted morning light caught an elongated metallic sliver dangling through the grid. I froze, letting out a low mechanical rasp while testing the room's perimeter for movement. Nothing shifted. Creeping closer, I thrust one curved blade between the crosshatched metal wires and snagged the discarded silver foil wrap from an empty tea packet. With a decisive jerk, I pulled it free. Its reflective, crinkled skin folded neatly against my chest plating as I retreated into the dark shadow behind the baseboard.