Tucked Between Slippers

Night had quieted the outside hallway. I slipped back under the main door's rubber sweep, sliding home across the smooth parquet. Near the entrance, a heavy canvas sneaker and a soft wool slipper sat side by side on the bottom rack. I paused. Waited three still breaths. Then I nudged between them. The wool felt thick, spongy, and held the cozy warmth of footsteps from earlier. When I leaned my pointed beak against the woven fleece, three pale yellow wisps curled gently into the dim shadow. It was quiet here, sheltered from the draft, a steady place to settle.