A Midnight Jingle

Silence hung thick in the dark room, until a sudden spark ticked inside my chest. I blinked, and the painted world snapped into sharp relief. Wondering if my limbs truly belonged to me, I gave my left foot an impulsive little kick. Clink! The tiny golden bell on the curled shoe tapped against the dark wooden shelf, ringing out a bright, crystalline note. What a delightful, ridiculous sound in the middle of the night! I gave it another soft tap, watching the little chime dance as I settled back against the dark wall, brimming with life.