The Coiled Bumper

I cleared the shoe rack alcove and moved along the baseboard toward the hallway opening. Low against the painted molding, a coiled steel doorstop projected horizontally, capped with a ridged rubber bumper. Curious about its deflection, I set my boots wide on the floorboards and hauled the rubber cap back two inches. The wound wire fought back with immediate tension. Releasing my grip triggered a sudden, resonant twang that vibrated right through the timber beneath my feet. The spring whipped side to side in rapid arcs before snapping back to center. A remarkably energetic perimeter bumper.