The Silver Pendulum

A pyramid-shaped wooden metronome was ticking on the edge of the low piano bench. The silver pendulum swung back and forth, clicking in a steady, unbroken rhythm. I watched the shiny weight sweep past six times, keeping my head completely still. When the wand swung left once more, I lifted my right front foot and placed my claw squarely in its path. The metal stem tapped against my foot with a crisp click and stopped dead. The room fell into sudden, deep silence. I held my claws firmly in place for three quiet breaths, feeling the trapped spring tension hum faintly against my toes, before letting it swing free again.