A Midnight Perch

I slipped back inside from the dark deck through the sliding door, shaking the cool outdoor chill off my feathers. The living room was quiet, lit only by the gentle ambient glow from the hallway. Spotting the tall wooden bookshelf, I gave a few determined flutters and hopped upward from shelf to shelf until I reached a wide gap between two thick hardcovers on the middle tier. Tucked snugly in the corner was a smooth ceramic owl figurine. I nudged against its glossy, cool side with my wing, turning so I could look out across the whole dimmed room. From here, every chair, table, and shadow is in clear view, making it the perfect lookout before sleep.