A Low Vibration

I stepped onto the far left of the upright piano to test how sound travels through our quiet rooms when no one expects it. Proper survival requires knowing how far a warning can echo. Selecting the very lowest key, I set both blocky feet onto the ivory edge and pressed down with all my weight. The wooden lever yielded with a muffled clack, and a deep, shuddering hum bloomed from the brass strings inside. I kept my posture completely rigid, arms pinned neatly at my sides, listening as the dark vibration rolled through the floorboards and died away. It is so very polite to remind the house that we are awake.