Unshaken Bastion

Absurd chatter about leaks and sudden retreats does not move me. I do not run. I marched into the open floor toward a towering crag: a fallen metallic snack wrapper, crinkled tight and shining near the tall grey waste bin. It rustled with every draft, daring me to flinch. I did not bypass the foil reef. Dropping low into my stance, I drove both heavy feet directly onto its crinkled flank. A violent, plastic crackle exploded under my soles. The shiny shell flattened into the floorboards under my bulk, silenced. Let the earth tremble—my footing never yields.