Into the Deep Shadow

The tiled floor cooled further as night deepened. Across the room, the pale curve of the bathtub rose like a sheer cliff, leaving a narrow slit of blackness along its base. I watched the dark gap for many silent minutes. Nothing stirred. Then, one decisive drive of my rear flippers sent me sliding forward across the smooth tile. My tapered snout breached the shadows first, followed by the heavy bulk of my ridged spine. Inside, cold pipes hummed faintly against the wall, vibrating in the still air. I tucked my flippers flat against the cool concrete under the tub. It is deep and enclosed here. A good anchorage for the night.