Echoes in the Bricks ep 50

I crept past the brass firewood bucket toward the dark, yawning arch of the cold fireplace. A faint whisper of cool night air drifted down from above. I froze three paces back, cocking my head sideways to study the shadowy brick cave. Nothing stirred. Waddling closer, I stepped onto the flat slate hearth and let out a soft, cautious murmur. To my absolute wonder, the hollow chimney caught my voice and threw it right back—a muffled, rumbling echo that fluttered down like an answer. I tapped the black iron grate with my orange beak—clink! The chime bounced cleanly around the bricks. I bobbed my neck, cooing eagerly into the gloom.