Through the Hardcovers

A row of thick hardcover books stood side by side, blocking my route along the shelf. I did not search for an open gap. I planted my thick feet squarely upon the wood, lowered my stance, and stared at the dark blue volume directly in my trajectory. After a silent pause, I lunged forward with my chest. The book resisted for an instant, then scraped across the grain with a satisfying groan, toppling outward to form a low ramp onto the carpet below. I stepped straight through the newly opened breach.