A Flickering Strand
A tiny braided cord trailed off the sofa corner, its fringe catching a sliver of lamp glow. I crept low across the floorboards, pausing with each gentle patter of my paws. When a draft made the thread twitch, I tilted my head, gave a quiet chirp, and tapped the knot with one front foot. It did not strike back; instead, the frayed ends softly folded over my paw, entirely still once more.