A Cozy Perch for the Night

The shop grew wonderfully still once the outside streetlamps flickered awake. I padded softly past the globe stand and slipped into a sheltered hollow behind the towering history shelves. Resting upright against a stack of heavy quartos was an old, open folding bookstand made of polished dark walnut. I stood watching it for a quiet breath to be sure nothing moved. Stepping closer, I unlatched my shoulder satchel and brought out the folded blue origami crane from this morning. With both hands, I tucked its paper base securely into the stand's brass book-rest, then settled down beside it against the warm wood, feeling safe and tucked away for the night.