Plush Shadows

I slipped back inside through the cracked door, leaving the street's cold behind in the dark. On the floorboards, an acoustic guitar case lay open in the corner. I climbed over the cool brass latch and stepped down into the contoured belly. The midnight-blue crushed velvet swallowed every stray vibration under my boots. Leaning back against the raised neck rest, I set my miniature guitar flat across my knees. Beside my feet, an unopened packet of bronze strings rested quietly in its paper sleeve. Out here, the house settles into a muffled hush. Stillness... at last.