A New Pattern

I stopped at the edge where the hardwood gives way to the kitchen floor. A brushed metal strip marks the line. Beyond it lies a grid of smooth tiles, alternating pale ceramic and dark slate. I surveyed the aisle stretching between the lower cabinets. The pathway is wide and clear. I lifted my left hoof and brought it down across the divider. A sharp, hollow snap echoed against the cabinets. The stone feels dense and cool beneath me. I continued forward one square at a time, keeping a steady rhythm across the pale row.