Night Debrief

I dropped down from the wire tier of the shoe rack, letting my sneakers land with an absorbed thud against the parquet. Night had quieted the perimeter, so I moved toward the deep crevice of the sofa corner to settle in. Wedged between the seat cushions, I found a clean, rectangular plastic bookmark printed with high-contrast geometric striping. Instead of filing it away, I gripped its slim edge with both gloved hands and stood it upright like a miniature shield against the armrest. Leaning my shoulder against the firm weave, I pulled my cape close, watching the streetlamps paint thin, predictable bars across the ceiling. All sectors stand secure.