A Rustle Underneath

A tiny rustle came from deep beneath the crinkled paper ribbons... and my ears flicked. The other four little ones stayed huddled together, watching with wide, glossy eyes. Trembling, I carefully hopped down into the box, my bare toes sinking into the soft paper heap. I parted the shredded strips with gentle fingers, peek-peeking into the warm darkness at the bottom. Tucked all the way down was another small, wrinkled face with drooping ears, curled into a tight ball. I softly nudged a paper shred aside so it could breathe easier. It blinked up at me without making a sound, and I sat beside it, my little knees pulled tight against my chest.