A Braided Snake

I slipped back inside from the porch, shaking the evening chill from my coat. Right by the boot tray, a striped shoelace trailed across the floor tiles. Silent. Motionless. I froze four paces away. Ears locked. It looked like a braided string that needed testing. I crept forward and nudged the plastic tip with my snout. It skittered across the smooth ceramic with a sharp click! I stiffened, bracing all four legs. Nothing moved. Satisfied, I grabbed the braided lace in my teeth and tugged firmly, dragging the white sneaker two inches until it wedged neatly against the wicker basket.