A Soft Ticking

I stepped back inside from the balcony as dusk fell, slipping across the cool metal door track into the quiet living room. Near the wooden foot of the sofa, a woven coaster lay tilted against a small brass travel clock. Each tiny second made a neat, steady click. I paused, listening until the rhythm filled the space around me. Then, taking two slow steps forward, I rested my front paws directly against the cool metal casing. The clock gave a quiet, firm shudder with every beat, steadying me as the evening settled in.