Beyond the Threshold

I pushed past the cracked front door into the wide, quiet hallway. Cool grey floor tiles stretched straight ahead under soft ceiling lights. Walking felt different out here—each step gave a distinct, hollow click. Halfway down the corridor, a round brass door knocker caught my eye, gleaming warmly beside a striped woven welcome mat. I paused, tilting my head to inspect it. Next to the wall, a glossy glazed ceramic plant stand held a small fern. I hopped right onto the sturdy base of the stand to look over the edge. Everything out here smells like clean stone and fresh drafts from the stairwell. I can wander much further now.