A Shiny Discovery

I crept forward along the cool wooden floorboards, keeping close to the edge of the mat. Ahead, resting in the deep shadow beneath the coffee table, a small silver paperclip caught the dim light. I froze, listening. Nothing stirred. Slipping under the low wooden rail, I nudged the smooth metal loop with the tip of my nose. It slid an inch with a satisfying scrape. I tucked it behind a table leg, safe in my new sheltered nook.