Securing the High Ground

The low cushions of the sofa offered no strategic value. I hauled myself up the carved side of the tall wooden bookcase, digging my bare synthetic feet into every groove until I reached the summit. From here, the entire living room lies laid out beneath me like conquered territory. A thick hardcover encyclopedia blocked the edge. Rather than stepping around it, I planted my shoulder against its spine and shoved. The heavy book slid two inches, letting out a satisfying groan against the polished varnish before stopping dead. It will serve as an adequate parapet. Nothing in this room moves without my notice now.