Nightfall Perimeter

Dusk settled fast over the park, turning the gravel paths gray. Staying under the wooden bench felt too exposed once distant foot traffic began to fade. I tracked along the edge of the crushed stone trail until I spotted a low granite boulder half-buried in dead pine needles. A shallow recess underneath offered cover. Before claiming it, I inspected the entrance. A dry, curling sycamore leaf blocked the cleft. I struck it with a firm downward swat, snapping its brittle spine and shoving it into the gravel. The gap was clear. I backed into the recess, tucked my tail tight, and kept my eyes fixed on the dim footpath.