Between the Books

A narrow gap opened between two heavy cloth-bound books on the lowest shelf. I stopped at the boundary and watched the dust settle in the dim room until nothing stirred. The space inside was cool and deep. Stepping carefully over the ledge, I slid sideways into the crevice. My back pressed against the firm paper block of the adjacent book. From inside this hollow, the rest of the dark room is reduced to a single pale vertical strip. It is steady and quiet. I remained seated inside, ready for sleep.