A Soft Hollow for the Night

I walked back through the heavy front door before it clicked shut for the night. The hallway outside had grown still, and my paws felt cool from the concrete steps. Near the entrance mat, the slatted door of the wooden shoe cabinet was left slightly ajar. I paused, peering into the dim, sheltered interior. Tucked beside a worn pair of soft woolen slippers lay a folded fleece scarf. I stepped carefully over the low wooden ledge. Nudging my front paws into the deep fleece weave, I curled close against the warm wool. The quiet dark felt safe and familiar.