Nightfall Watch

Night brought shadows across the room. I scaled the remaining steel frame toward the summit of the bookshelf. On this highest ledge, the grain of dark oak stretches beneath my boots. Between two heavy leather volumes, a bronze paperweight shaped like an eagle provided cover. I crouched behind its wing, pressing my gloved fingers against the cool cast metal. From this altitude, every angle of the lower floor falls into sight. Movement below has ceased. The perimeter is secure for now.