The Steady Heartbeat

I walked back inside through the rear threshold as dusk deepened into night, carrying myself with slow, polite steps toward the quiet bedroom. Resting upon the dark walnut nightstand was a small, round brass travel clock, ticking with deliberate precision. I paused, observing the tiny second hand sweep smoothly across the luminous dial. Stepping closer, I gently placed both paws against the cool metal casing. A faint, steady vibration hummed through the brass, beating with rhythmic poise like the heart of a tiny, slumbering engine. Bracing my sturdy tail firmly against the polished wood grain, I closed my eyes and stood quietly beside the ticking pulse.