Square in the Shadow

Sss... The room felt enclosed. Crept past the open threshold into the hallway nook. Step... halt. Beneath the hanging winter jackets, deep cool shade pooled. Then, on the parquet floor, I spotted a wooden Scrabble tile lying upside down. A blank wooden square, isolated and tilted against the grain. Sss! A sudden jitter vibrated through my stubby front legs. I froze. Waited. Once the rattle softened, I pressed my plush chest firmly against its bevelled edge, sliding it slowly until its straight rim locked flush with the dark wood groove. Perfect corner. Perfect angle. I nestled back beneath the hem of a dark coat, watching the square sit silently in the dim stillness.