Breaching the Perimeter

Enough waiting inside. Slipped through the cleared gap under the front door and stepped out onto the porch floorboards. Morning air was crisp with pine needles and damp stone. A dried pinecone sat directly in my path, stiff and prickly. Instead of walking around, I planted my boots, brought my right fist down, and sheared it clean in two with one quick stroke. The wood snapped crisp. Left the broken pieces scattered to the side and leaned against the porch rail post. The yard stretches out wide from here.