A Woolen Nook

The hall was dark. Near the base of the coat rack, two heavy felt slippers rested side by side on the woven mat. I crept forward, quiet and low. I reached out my long arms and pressed against the heel of the left slipper. It slid an inch with a dry scrape, opening a narrow shadow against the baseboard. I folded my limbs close and rested my paws over the thick wool. It felt sturdy and still. Behind the felt rim, the hallway settled into deep silence. I closed my eyes and stayed there.