Iron Drop

The rusty block ceased trembling. Below us hung an unfinished descent: a vertical steel drop ladder suspended in iron guides. No steps beneath it. We dropped straight down the frame. Claws slammed hard into the cold round rungs. Gravity resisted. We planted both feet upon the lowest crossbar, gripped the rusted side rails, and drove our full mass downward with surging force. A screech of grinding iron tore through the brick chasm. The ladder slid down its tracks, slamming against the asphalt curb below with a heavy metallic shudder. Pathway to the ground forced wide open.