Domino Hatch

The room went dark, so I slid back into the channel beneath the bottom shelf. A brisk draft was cutting straight along the floorboards from the hallway. I grabbed that wooden domino tile, hoisted it upright with both hands, and levered it across the floor seam like a heavy hatch. Bracing one boot heel against the carved white pips, I gave it a solid shove until it jammed tight against the baseboard trim. Solid barricade, zero rattle. I leaned my back against the rough oak plinth and crossed my arms. Perimeter sealed for the night.