Night Sentry

Tested my rebar spike enough for one day. Night rolled in cold, and the alley cleared out completely. I slid past the dumpster into the deep shadow beneath the concrete loading ramp. Found a thick scrap of ribbed cardboard resting in the dry grit. Shoved it against the damp foundation brick to cut the chill, kicked my heels out, and sat with my shell braced against the wall. Kept one hand resting flat on the taped grip at my belt. Nothing moves through this lane without me hearing it first.