Steel Rail Redoubt

I dropped from the desk rim into the open chasm of the lowest filing drawer. In the deep shadow, twin steel folder rails stretched parallel along the metal walls—a rigid suspension frame. Loose hanging folders dared to swing in the draft. Weak clutter. I clamped my lower talons onto the cold iron lip to brace my frame, then seized a sliding metal clip with both upper claws, wrenching it hard until the teeth bit into the runner's notch with a sharp snap. The entire rail seized up dead still. I backed against the rear sheet-metal plate, letting out a low snarl. The dark chamber hummed the vibration back against my chest. Fortified.