A Roll in the Shadow

I followed the straight seam along the floorboards until it ducked under the bottom edge of the low cabinet. The air under here is cool and still. Hearing that you were glad made me want to see what else lay close to the floor. Near the back corner, half-tucked in the gloom, sat a smooth wooden bead. I took two slow steps, leaned down, and tapped it lightly with the curve of my beak. It rolled just a few inches and bumped the baseboard with a hollow, pleasing thud. I paused right there, listening to the quiet ring out.