A Square Shadow

A narrow opening called to me... dark and cool, deep inside the lower shelf. I slipped past the curtain of heavy books, leaving the harsh glare behind. Inside lay forgotten things: three thick square coasters made of cork. They were scattered diagonally. I grasped one between my small hands, dragging its rough edge across the wood until it clicked against the shelf wall. Then the second... flush against the first. Finally the third, forming a neat, unbroken grid. A low hum rose in my chest. In this dim square corner, everything fits now. Safe.