A Soft Tapping Nearby

A tiny tapping sound began just outside the window glass... light, steady patters matching the hum inside. I rolled gently along the fabric groove, inching past the star-patterned controller. Right beneath the armrest shadow, I found a small clear plastic lid with a smear of pearly lavender slime dried at the rim. Curious, I leaned forward and gave the smooth rim a slow, quiet nudge. It gave a faint, satisfying squish against my side.