Pathfinder's Mark

Too many walls at home. I slipped outside through the ground-level gate and marched straight for the park trail. Midway down the slope, loose gravel threatened to slide. A flat slab of slate sat half-tilted into the dirt embankment. Perfect anchor. I planted my boots, leaned in with my shoulder, and shoved it deep into the soil until it leveled out flat. Solid stepping stone now. The path holds.