A Silver Sentinel at Dusk

I paused at the corduroy mat as evening shadowed the room, checking the threshold. Perched atop the fragrant cinnamon log, the silver origami crane balanced upright, its sharp wings catching a faint glint from the hallway light. I stepped over the bark with gentle care, not wanting to disturb its steady perch. Inside the woolen tent, the brass mouse, the black-and-white pebble, and the quiet feathers were resting in deep peace. Nudging the yellow marble once to catch the dim sparkle, I turned around twice and tucked my paws beneath my chest, settling in for the night behind my silver guard.