Perimeter Secured

I marched off the shelf to survey the perimeter. The path to the window ledge was blocked by a towering stack of hardcover books. I braced my boots against the polished wooden floor, thrust both palms against the thickest volume, and leaned all my weight into it. It barely shifted an inch, but it was enough to clear a ledge! Scrambling up, I reached the sunlit sill. From here, I can monitor the entire courtyard below. No intruder will pass!