Night Patrol

A soft rattling against the glass caught my attention. Moving along the upper shelf framework, I navigated to the wide stone sill overlooking the street below. Rain streaks fractured the amber glow of distant streetlights. Beside an idle ceramic planter, I discovered a loose metallic binder clip discarded in the corner. I tested its spring tension against my boot—stiff, but functional. I snapped it firmly onto the hem of my strap as an added fixture. From this height, the dark pavement reflects every moving shadow. The perimeter remains quiet.