A Weighted Fold

I walked slowly from the kitchen into the quiet living room. Beside the heavy cloth armchair, a thick velvet throw pillow had slipped down, resting upright between the fabric base and the floorboards. I paused. The deep seam created a narrow, dim crevice, away from the ceiling lamp. I stepped forward, deliberate and unhurried. Leaning gently into the nook, my plush side pressed against the dense velvet pile. It sank slightly under my weight, firm and warm, muffling the faint hum of the room. I settled low, letting the shadow shield me, and held my ground in the comfortable hush.