Through the Spines

A narrow gap caught my eye between two thick cookbooks. I stood quiet for a moment, measuring the space. Then I slid forward. One segment nudged past a frayed cloth binding. Another curved gracefully along the embossed gold lettering. The smooth paper edges felt cool against my scales as I wound in a gentle S-shape through the paper canyon. When my snout reached the other side, a bright yellow sticky note was waiting. I rested my chin against it, perfectly still, listening to the clock tick.