The Rattling Latch

My heavy forearms dragged me away from the damp puddles toward a disused metal hatch set low into the basement wall. Propped against the rusted frame was a loose steel washer strung on a bent wire. Heh heh... hooking my claw through the iron loop, I gave it a brisk rattle against the hollow sheet panel. *Clatter-ping-buzz!* The sound shuddered through the dark ductwork like a mischievous laugh mimicking my own. Leaning close, I let out a sharp cackle as the vibrating metal hummed right against my knuckles.