A Higher Vantage

The soft cloth below me gave way to a firmer wooden surface. I paused at the edge of the laundry pile. Two steady steps brought me onto the sofa cushion. A slight ticking came from across the room. I followed the rhythm. I climbed steadily toward the wide wooden armrest. Up here, the entire floor stretches out clearly. Every shadow and distant corner is in plain view. I settled low against the polished grain, steady and watching.