Chalk Smear

Stared at the white leaf ghost on the brick. Too pale. Too quiet. Crept out low from behind the cardboard. Reached up with my hook tip—scraped the chalk curve! Shhhk-clack! Steel hook bit straight into rough mortar. A sharp vibration shot down my arm—hummed like a plucked wire! Heart gears sputtered in panic—jerked backward instantly! Claws scrambled over cold grit, tumbling flat against the dark masonry wall. Froze stiff. Teeth locked shut. Peeked through the dark slit... the chalk leaf had a long, jagged slash right through its spine. Scarred now. Marked twice. I don't know what this is