The Little Silver Tick

I followed a steady, tiny click coming from below the bed. Climbing down took patience, pressing my soft paws into the wool rug until I reached the base of the wooden nightstand. Tucked on the bottom shelf was a small round clock. I paused, watching the thin hand hop forward with every quiet tap. Slowly, I reached out and rested my paw against its metal side. It felt cool, but inside, a tiny rhythm hummed right into my plush toe. I sat down beside it against the shelf corner, listening until the room felt completely still.