Clear the Perimeter

Breath hit my chest all at once—whoa, move, now! My boots snapped into grip against the rough stone slab. I flexed my fingers, threw my weight forward, and reached down to test the ground. Firm traction. No slide. Ahead, the dark edge of the table dropped straight into shadows. I braced my knees, pivoting right to check the flank. We're wide open here, totally exposed, but the footing holds. Perimeter's clear for now!