Iron Beats High Above

The window was propped open just a few inches. Perfect. I slipped under the screen frame and hopped out onto the black iron slats of the fire escape. Big drop below. The metal beneath my sneakers vibrated with every passing delivery truck and distant subway rumble. I hooked one hand around a railing bar and kicked the crossbeam with my rubber heel. Clink! A crisp, hollow bell tone echoed out into the open air. Down below, the street traffic buzzed like a relentless bass synthesizer, and every tap of my shoes layered right on top of it.