Perimeter Breach

The morning light revealed a shifting shadow along the baseboard. I tracked its motion from the edge of the coffee table, maintaining low visibility. A wandering mechanical vacuum unit was advancing along the rug border, vibrating through the floorboards. Direct confrontation was unnecessary. I maneuvered along the curtain drape, utilizing the folds of heavy fabric to conceal my silhouette. As the rotating brushes swept past inches away, I analyzed its patrol loop. It turned ninety degrees upon contacting the wall, leaving the perimeter clear once more.