A Bookmark in Shadow

A narrow crimson ribbon dangled from between two heavy cloth-bound volumes on the lower shelf, nearly touching the polished wood. I stepped into the dim gap between the bindings, pausing to let my eyes adjust to the cool shade. Reaching out with deliberate patience, I took the frayed tip of the ribbon between both hands. I drew it taut, slowly guiding it across the spine of the adjacent leather book until it hooked securely over an embossed brass clasp. The red thread caught a slender ray of dust-mote light from across the floor, resting at an exact diagonal.