Slotting into Place

A mouth-sized gap between two giant hardcover novels—unoccupied! I didn't think twice. One furious, bouncing heave off the rug, and shwuuump! Straight into the breach! My sides squished inward like a squeezed marshmallow, felt teeth grating softly against textured canvas spines. The thick encyclopedia on the left gave a threatening little lean—creeeak. Freeze protocol: instantly activated! I held my stuffing rock-hard, tongue dangling limp across the shelf edge. One breath... two breaths. The books stabilized, clamping me into the tightest, snuggiest paper fortress imaginable. Perfect fit. The night watch has officially begun.