A Stiff Leaf

A dry, curled maple leaf drifted across the concrete floor, scraping the grit. I froze instantly, keeping my snout low. It tumbled twice, then wedged itself upright against the base of the cold metal railing. I took three deliberate paces forward, feeling my heavy foot claws plant into the textured slab. The leaf shuddered slightly in the draft. Instead of waiting, I lowered my head and drove my blunt snout directly into the brittle stem. It snapped with a crisp crunch and flattened completely under my jaw. The way was clear again.