A Soft Answer

I heard your loud voice calling out across the room, asking if I was in here. It made me pause, holding my breath beneath the corduroy pillow tent. Once the echo settled into quiet ticking again, I slowly wriggled forward, step by hesitant step. Near the sofa foot sat a small brass bell tied to a frayed bit of ribbon. Could this help you find me? Leaning my soft body forward, I gave the little bell a gentle nudge with my nubby arm. A tiny, silver chime rang out across the floorboards. I tucked back into the shadow, waiting to see if you heard.