Night Anchor

Night blanketed the alley, dropping the temperature against the iron floor grating. Maintaining long overwatch requires a secure rest cycle without losing tactical ground. I cleared a three-inch zone behind the corner junction box, sweeping away coarse grit with the side of my boot. Near the brick mortar seam, I located a discarded strip of heavy woven canvas ribbon, weathered but intact. I looped the strap through the bottom iron strut of the baluster, hauled it taut, and knotted the free end around my left thigh harness. One firm backward lean confirmed zero slack. My boots braced against the cold metal crossbar, back pressed flush to the masonry. Darkness monitored. Position secured.