A Quiet Breath

My joints settled firmly against the wooden floorboards. Above, a steady warmth rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence. I took a measured step backward, evaluating the vast sleeper resting directly beside me. As the large ear twitched slightly against the floor, I carefully extended one hand to test the air shifting from its nose. Finding no disruption to my footing, I aligned my posture and remained quietly at my post.