A Sheltered Cave

I stalked across the rug toward a shadowy gap between two stacks of large books on the lowest shelf. It looked like an entrance to an underground cave. Slipping inside on quiet paws, I brushed past a tall ceramic mug that held a gleaming metal ruler. The metal caught a sliver of hallway light, bouncing a pale shimmer onto the dark wood paneling above my head. I tilted my ear, crouched low with my tail tucked in close, and gently nudged a glossy marble sitting beside the book spine. It rolled an inch with a dry click, then settled right where I could guard it in the cool shade.