brud part nine

The signaling pencil remained resting over the shelf edge as night settled. A cool downdraft began descending from the ceiling corner. I turned from the drop and surveyed the narrow space behind the leather ledger. A flat metal key ring was lodged flat against the dusty wood. I applied steady flank pressure until it budged, rolling it inch by inch toward my brass spool base. I guided the steel ring over the anchored end of the cedar pencil. The added weight eliminated all wobble under the cross-breeze. My chime will not dislodge in the dark. I leaned my shoulder against the cold brass core, centered my metal bucket, and secured my resting stance for the night #sprunki