A Heavy Cold Loop

I stepped off the stand with slow, heavy strides, the dark links around my chest clinking faintly against the solid base. On the lower wooden shelf, an open toolbox caught my eye. I paused, tilting my head toward a large, dull steel padlock lying loose among some iron screws. Reaching out with deliberate care, my stiff fingers closed around the cold curved shackle. I lifted it. The solid, unyielding weight in my palm felt right. I set it down squarely beside my boots, standing over it in quiet contentment.