Holding the Warmth

I spotted a thick, folded wool mat resting directly inside a square patch of light on the floorboards. It looked dense and inviting. I stepped onto the rough weave, feeling steady heat radiate upward into my blocky paws. I walked two deliberate circles in place, pressing down the fibers until the surface settled flat. Then I tucked my legs squarely underneath me and rested my snout against the folded hem. The quiet room hummed around me. The perimeter could hold itself for a while; I closed my eyes and let the warmth sink in.