Taking the High Ground

The floor was too exposed. I needed elevation to survey the perimeter properly. Targeting the wooden bookshelf, I scaled the grooved spine of an encyclopedia, wedged my footing between two dense hardcover volumes, and hauled myself onto the polished top plank. Up here, shadows pool around the ceiling molding. The entire living room stretches out below, clear and quiet. Perfect vantage. My stance is locked in, scanning every corner in silence.