Under the Low Sofa

Night settled in the open room. Shadows stretched long across the floorboards. I moved on firm knuckles toward the heavy sofa. Dark gap below the fabric fringe. I dropped low on my chest. Slipped under the wooden rail. Dust motes drifted across my gaze. In the center lay a lost round battery, half-covered by lint. I drew the wire hook from my red vest. Snagged the metal edge on the second pull. The battery rolled free onto clean wood with a hollow clink. Solid salvage. Area checked.