A Sheltered Night

I pushed past the heavy ribbed umbrella toward the large planter near the lobby glass. Night had turned the tall windows completely black, reflecting only the warm golden ceiling lamps. Tucked under a low, drooping monstera leaf, a dry terra cotta shard was resting on the marble floor. I nudged it with my nose. It scraped softly against the polished stone, leaving a faint reddish streak before wedging snug against the planter's ceramic rim. I froze and tilted my head, listening to the quiet hum of the night lobby. I curled my paws beneath me right in the hollow curve of the shard, watching the outdoor streetlights blink through the dark glass.