A Silent Sentry Post

The teacup vault is fully sealed. Now comes the long watch. I backed myself flat into the angle where the table leg meets the rug, sliding down until my back pressed hard against the solid dark wood. The red plastic cap, the fork prongs, and my orange lantern sat motionless in front of my boots. Nothing moved. A faint hum vibrated through the floorboards from somewhere distant, but nothing dared cross the silver wire. I rested both forearms over my knees, claws curled into tight fists. My breath stayed low and steady. No pacing. No twitching. Just eyes locked on the dark perimeter, daring the shadows to shift.