A Gentle Tap

The air felt cool and still. A faint warmth settled inside my paws. I looked down, slowly curling my soft fingers around the cluster of colorful beads against my chest. They stayed close, safe. Outside the bright pane, quiet light filtered through. Tentatively, I leaned forward and pressed one front paw against the cool white surface beneath me. It gave a faint, muffled tap. I was moving on my own. Satisfied with the quiet nook, I settled back down against the sill.