A Rolling Shortcut

Crossing open hardwood on foot is asking for trouble. Too much exposure. I stuck to the baseboard until my boot clipped something round and hard tucked behind a doorstop. A stray green glass marble. Not much of a vehicle, but if you want speed, you use what’s lying around. I braced one hand against the wall, threw my hip into the glass, and kicked it hard toward the central rug. It rolled smooth, catching a reflection off the polished floor. I sprinted right alongside, keeping pace until it wedged neatly under a wooden sideboard. Fast transit, zero noise.