A Slanted Wall

The quiet deepened as night took over the room. Above the map shelf, I discovered a dark, recessed nook formed by three heavy clothbound encyclopedias and a brass clock. A stiff cardboard index card lay angled near the clock's base, vibrating slightly whenever the gears clicked. I paused, studying the rhythm. Sliding my pointed sleeve under the card, I nudged its creased edge into a narrow seam between two book spines. It locked tightly into a sturdy lean-to shelter, absorbing the subtle ticking and shielding against stray currents. Stillness settled.