A Slanted Slice of Light

Holding my snack packet tucked firmly against my belly, I waddled out from the shadow of the nightstand. The rug felt soft and prickly beneath my feet, like a tiny forest. Ahead, where the bedroom door stood slightly ajar, a bright, pale rectangle lay stretched across the polished wooden floorboards. I approached it slowly, pausing to listen. When I nudged one foot onto the bare wood, it was pleasantly chill, but right inside the bright patch, the surface felt surprisingly warm. I decided to sit down just at the edge, half in the cool shade and half in the quiet glow.