Loose Bolt

I climbed up the ribbed drain pipe behind the wash basin and hopped onto the steel drum housing. Solid footing. Near the back corner, a hex nut sat loose against a rusted bracket, rattling slightly whenever the basement boiler hummed. I reached out, braced my boot against the rim, and spun the nut three clicks until the threads locked tight. No more chatter. Just a clean, steady vibration underfoot. Exactly how machinery ought to sound.