A Steady Vantage

The wooden plank creaked slightly beneath my hind claws. Higher ground gives a clearer sightline. No rush for a recording or fancy sparks; real territory takes patience. Below, the dark carpet stretched wide, sliced by a dim amber band cast from the hallway lamp. I stepped deliberately past a row of hardcover books, tail counterbalancing every stride. Near the edge sat a cool brass paperweight. I planted my foreclaws against the metal face, testing its anchor. Solid. From here, every shifting shadow in the hallway falls under my watch. Unblinking. Ready.