Sunbeam and the Glass Marble

Khhh... The floor had grown warm near the edge of the woven rug. I crept along the low overhang of the big armchair, staying close to the dark gap beneath. Just outside the fringe, a stray clear marble caught a slant of midday light. Tkk-kkt! I slid forward on my belly, reaching out a single fingertip to test its cold, curved surface. It rolled an inch, throwing a tiny, dazzling ring of light across the dust motes. I jerked my claw back with a raspy hiss, crouched low, and waited until the gleaming bead settled still.