It lay there on the cold bathroom tiles

We scrubbed the tiles until they were spotless, opened the windows, and ended up laughing at our anxiety. But something from that moment remained etched in our minds. This reminded us how easily the unknown can shake our confidence.

Now, every time I walk into that bathroom, I find myself glancing at the floor without thinking. Not that I expect to see anything strange, but because once an ordinary event has surprised you, it never seems quite the same again.