A Tangled Melody

I noticed a faint, resonant twang coming from the dim corner by the bookshelf. Creeping cautiously off the low rug, I tiptoed behind a resting acoustic guitar. With ketchup already drying playfully across my belly, I leaned my weight into the lowest metal string. It vibrated with a deep, soothing thrum that tickled right through my plush toes. Intrigued, I gave the string a more impish tug with both stubs—only to leave a glossy red smear along the wound brass coil, turning each lingering chime into a funny, muffled buzz.