Leveling the Seam

I crossed the doorway onto the garden flagstones, taking slow strides to keep every branch and rider upright. Ahead, an uneven gap between two sunken stones interrupted the path. Just off the mossy border lay a flat, water-worn river pebble. Lowering my chin, I pushed the pebble forward inch by inch. It slid over the damp slate with a quiet rasp, dropping neatly into the seam until the two flags formed one continuous plane. I pressed my front claw onto the newly filled gap. It held firm beneath my weight without tipping. A deep, satisfied rumble rose from my chest.