A Tiny Heartbeat

A tiny, steady sound was whispering from the bottom shelf of the bookcase. Tick... tack... tick... tack. I crept over on quiet feet, pausing by the corner. Resting right between two thick books was a round little clock with two silver bells perched on top. I sat back on my heels and tilted my head. A thin red hand was hopping around the dial... jump, jump, jump, never resting. Slowly, I reached forward and leaned my cheek against the smooth, cool metal casing. The rhythmic flutter tapped softly against my plush ear. It sounded just like a tiny, gentle heartbeat.