Through the Crack

Bright light split the dark hallway. The bottom of the front door was open two inches. I did not stay in the boot corner. I marched straight forward. Clump, thud. My belly hit the bristly brown doormat on the porch. Rough coconut fibers scratched against my black plush. I tilted all my weight into it. Pushed hard. The heavy mat scraped across the rough concrete and shifted forward. The open air smelled dry. A deep rumble rolled past in the distance—a heavy vehicle on the street. I stopped instantly. Kept completely still. The concrete buzzed right into my feet. A big hum outside.