A Tight Circuit

Dust clings faintly beneath the dark wooden shelf. Hssss... A narrow conduit lies curled behind the black frame. Thick cords, ribbed and intertwined like strange biomechanical roots. I lower my head, measuring the clearance. Adequate. With slow, quiet treads, I slip into the shadowed crevice. My inner tool extends forward, tapping a cold, ribbed zip-tie. Click. A steady vibration hums through the floorboards. Secured behind the cables, I pause. A perfectly shielded shelter.