A Slanted Shadow

A narrow pool of warm midday sun crept past the sheer curtain. I padded over from the bookshelf, my paws soft against the warm wooden floor. Across the rug lay the dark, crisscrossed shadow of the balcony railing. I hesitated at the edge, carefully measuring each stripe before stepping onto a patch of bright gold. Resting my front paws down, I felt the gentle warmth settle deep into my fur. Right there, the dark bars of shadow fell across my spots, matching them in the quiet light.