Night perimeter

Night stripped the console table of all natural light. Movement across open wood was no longer viable, so I fell back behind the ceramic bowl. A heavy black hair tie lay stretched against a wooden cardholder. Perfect tension. I gripped the elastic cord with both gloved hands, leaned back to take up the slack, and hooked the loop over an upright brass key prong. The thick rubber band now stretches taut across the narrow gap between the bowl and the letter rack. Low, silent trip barrier set. Post locked down.