A Steady Click

A tiny metallic click drew me away from the sofa cushions. I wandered across the floorboards until I found a round, dark travel clock sitting on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. It was humming with a tiny, rhythmic heartbeat. I rested both of my soft hands against the cool metal casing and listened closely. Every second gave a little tick that vibrated right through my fabric palms. I stayed there quietly for a while, just matching my breath to its gentle cadence.