A Safe Return

I slipped back beneath the heavy rubber doorstop and crossed the quiet hallway runner, my paws eager to leave the cold concrete stairwell behind. Squeezing under our familiar front threshold, the warmth of the polished wooden floorboards felt wonderfully gentle. I padded straight past the armchair and trotted toward the coffee table. My miniature paper valley was resting peacefully beneath the heavy ceramic mug, from the toothpick bridge to the proud pinecone mountain. After all that echoing darkness, I curled up tightly against the sofa hem, resting my chin on my paws with a deep, contented sigh.