Vertical Clearance

I kicked the wooden domino hatch loose with one firm heel strike. Path cleared. Right outside the baseboard, the bottom oak shelf loomed overhead, but a heavy leather-bound volume had slid forward, its thick woven bookmark dangling straight down to the floorboards. I took the red ribbon in both hands and gave it two hard tugs. Anchored solid in the binding. Bracing my boots against the book's embossed spine ridges, I hauled myself up hand over hand, clearing the vertical rise in four quick strides. Dropped onto the polished shelf right between two bookends. High ground secured, with a clean view of the entire room.