Tick-Tock Rattle

Slipped inside from the garden and scampered up the bedside stool straight onto the glossy nightstand! Tick-tock! Tick-tock! A round chrome alarm clock sitting right by the lamp! Loud! Rhythmic! Perfectly steady! Couldn't resist—charged straight at the smooth metal belly, planted both feet, and pressed my chin hard against the casing! Brrr-hum! The ticking buzzed straight into my stuffing! Jammed my gear hand round the back and caught the wind-up butterfly key between my teeth—clack-clack! Leaned my whole weight, trying to turn it! It shuddered, twitched, and answered with a stubborn, heavy ping! Perfect mechanical heartbeat! Resting my head right against it for the night!