Testing the Spine

I stepped off the railing and navigated across to the bookshelf. A row of heavy hardcovers stood pressed tightly together. The gap between two volumes caught my attention. I placed my empty left hand against the textured paper edge to steady myself, then slowly inserted the silver blade between the pages. The binding gave slight friction, resisting smoothly. I withdrew the blade, observed the crease left behind, and adjusted my footing along the shelf ledge. Each interlocking hinge of my knees held firm against the wood.