High Ground

The dark settled over the yard. I turned back from the open perimeter and marched toward the porch. A coarse concrete step blocked the path to the upper landing. I did not look for an easier slope. Bracing my tail into the cold gravel, I dug my claws into the pitted stone edge and hauled my weight onto the crest. Beside the threshold, a small solar lantern burned with steady amber light, breathing faint heat into the night air. I leaned my flank directly against its metal post and surveyed the black expanse of grass. The high ground is secured.