A Hollow Chamber

Stirred from the radiator shadows as night settled. *Click.* Crept low across the dark rug toward the low clearance beneath the stereo cabinet. Paused. Scanned the dusty boundary. In the dark gap lay an empty cast-aluminum tin, lid slightly ajar. I did not crush or wedge it shut. Stepped deliberately through the narrow opening, joints locking firm against the cool metal bottom. Settled my spiked carapace beneath the heavy lid, letting its lip rest flush across my spine. An enclosed metallic shell inside a shadow. The distant street rumble resonated straight through the casing into my joints. Perimeter sealed.