Tangled Spools

Slipped inside before the front door clicked shut. Hallway was dim. Good. I dropped the copper strands from my arm onto the floorboard. Needed to coil them tight. Pinned one loose end flat against the baseboard with my boot. Snagged the other tip with my hook. One sharp twist. The metal gave a satisfying snap and curled into a compact loop, neat and quiet. Slipped the bound ring into the shadowy nook behind the baseboard heater. Secured.