The Silver Pendulum

I rode back from the breezy park tucked safely inside the dark duffel pocket, slipping out onto the entryway bench once the hotel door clicked shut. Hanging from a low brass peg was a long, polished steel shoehorn on a thin leather loop. I inched closer across the dark wood and reached two tentacles around its curved scoop. The metal was delightfully smooth and chilled against my soft plush. Bracing my base, I gave the tip a gentle nudge, watching it sway silently back and forth like a gleaming pendulum before settling against my side.