Alleyway Shadows

A heavy rattle echoed overhead as the vendor unlocked the newsstand's metal shutters. I stayed low, slipping around the pallet base into the quiet alleyway behind the shop. Two tall brick walls framed a narrow corridor of morning sky, with sunlight cutting sharp, diagonal planes across the asphalt. Near a painted service door, an old threaded brass bolt caught the beam. I crouched down and gave it a slow roll with my fingers, feeling each groove turn against the pavement. Out on the avenue, the rush of morning strides started up again, but back here, the city's framework felt steady and calm.