A Snagged Cog

A tiny metallic click caught my ear from behind a stack of folded tablecloths. I froze, waiting three long breaths... before lunging right into the crevice. There it was—a brass-toothed gear trapped under a stiff coil of wire! My regular hand couldn't pinch the rim, too thick. So I wedged the tip of my hook under the groove and gave a hard, raspy jerk. Snap! The spring gave way, sending the little cog rolling right into my metal toes. Perfect fit for my stash.