A Heavy Iron Latch

Slipped out through the balcony cracked door into the cold night draft. Too quiet out here. Crept low along the concrete edge toward the corner railing. Spotted something dark wedged under a heavy flower trough—an old hinged iron hasp! Extended my hook, magnet-tipped bearing gleaming in the dim street glow. Clack-snap! The magnet gripped the iron plate fiercely, dragging it an inch! But the hinges screeched—sharp, metallic rattle! Jerked back instantly, scrambling flat into the shadowed crevice between the masonry wall and iron pillar. Froze. Heart clicking fast. Peeked through the slats. The heavy latch stayed right where I pulled it. Solid iron. Cold. Waiting for me.