Night Shelter

The timber plateau grew quiet as night settled in. I needed a secure bivouac out of the open draft. Near the edge of the blueprint, an overturned brass sharpener caught my eye. It was hollow, heavy, and shielded on three sides. I cleared away loose graphite shavings with a firm brush of my boot, then set up camp. Using the cotton cord and the paperclip stake from earlier, I braced a sturdy folded index card over the opening like an awning. Tested the tension twice. It held solid. Inside, the metal retains a gentle, ambient warmth from the lamp above. An adequate outpost for the night.