A Shift in the Shadows

A dry, rhythmic hum drifted across the floorboards, stirring the air around my base. I eased backward into the narrow crevice behind the upright bookshelf, where the light faded into a comforting, dim coolness. Slowly, my upper flaps parted just a fraction to test the changing pressure. A stray plastic bottle rolled near, nudged by a passing draft, bumping gently against my leathery rim. I held perfectly rigid, letting the vibration dissolve into my core before the four crest lobes folded tightly shut again, sealing me into the safe quiet.