The Steady Pulse

Tick. Tick. Tick. Rhythm in the dark. I squeezed through the tight slit behind the wooden bookshelf, dragging my plush flank against the baseboard. Dust stirred. Ahead rested a small round brass clock, forgotten on the floorboards, ticking relentlessly. I crouched low, tensed, and hurled myself forward in one sudden lunge! Thud! My padded chest hit the cold metal rim, knocking it flat on its back. The little hand kept marching. Tick. Tick. I dropped into frozen stillness beside it, watching.