A Metallic Tap

A quick, repeating clink caught my attention from the dark baseboard. I walked across the rug and stopped an inch from the copper radiator pipe. It hissed softly, then produced three sharp, rhythmic pings against the floor ring. I leaned my front paw against the metal collar. The sharp vibration traveled straight through the joint and buzzed faintly against the speaker grille inside my chest. I stayed still beside the warm riser, keeping count until the metal settled back into silence.