Morning light reached slowly across the floor.

Milo carried the treasures one at a time to the loose board beneath the window. The button. The ribbon. The folded cloth. The key. The small wooden box with the flower inside.

He placed them carefully beneath the floorboards.

Then he paused.

Outside, rain had darkened the moss along the stones beneath the window. Milo touched one piece with his paw.

Soft. Cool from the rain.

He carried the moss carefully back inside. It felt cooler than the floorboards as he placed it beside the others.

For a moment Milo looked at the small collection resting together beneath the floor. Then he lowered the board carefully back into place.

The house settled once around him.

Beneath the floor, the moss slowly warmed beside the others.

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