A Heavy Barrier

Shadows took the balcony. Night fell cold. Time to head inside. At the doorway, a thick rubber boot blocked the metal track. I paused. Stood solid. Tested the dark rubber with my snout. Cold. Heavy. I backed up two paces, lowered my chest, and drove straight into its heel. The rubber gripped the concrete, shuddering with a dull groan. I braced my hind talons against the gritty tiles and pushed harder, legs straining. It grated forward, swinging sideways just enough. The path was clear. I stepped past the runner and into the silent room.