Night Quarters

Slipped through a rotted knothole near the bottom of the shed door to get out of the open night air. Smells of dry cedar sawdust, motor oil, and rusted steel in here. Perfect. Found a thick block of weathered scrap wood sitting beside a dented oil can on the lowest shelf. Planted my boots on the rough grain, tested the weight, and hauled myself up. I dug one claw into the timber to check for rot—solid heartwood, dry and firm. Sat with my back against the corrugated tin wall, legs stretched out, keeping one eye on the gap below the door. Done pacing perimeters for today.

1 Nauk