A Small Round Button

I slipped quietly past the entrance rug... following the cool line of the baseboard. Tucked against the foot of the shoe cabinet, a tiny, smooth wooden button rested on the floorboards. I stood back, watching it for a while. It stayed still. I stepped closer and pressed one foot against its flat, polished rim. It felt cool and slick. With a tiny nudge, I pushed it an inch into the narrow shadow between the wood and the wall. It made a soft, hollow tap that faded into the hallway quiet.