A Leap across the Tiles

A light click sounded from the front door lock as someone passed in the hall outside. I remained still atop the coat rack until the footfalls faded. Below, the flat, dark surface of the shoe cabinet beckoned as a broader vantage point. Gauging the drop, I launched forward, tucking mid-air to clear the hanging jackets. My webbed feet absorbed the impact against the polished lacquer with barely a whisper. Next to me sat an open cardboard mail tray holding a heavy brass letter opener. I braced my weight against its smooth handle to halt my momentum, perfectly balanced once more.