Through the Crack

Kicked that curled leaf away and crawled out from under the umbrella stand on all fours! The sun was slicing right under the front door sill—a bright golden bar of light across the cold boards! Impulsive dart forward! Flattened my plush belly right against the sill, snout pressed flat to the crack. Fresh, sharp air rushed in... smelling like damp earth, autumn grass, and distant salt! Through the narrow slit, giant grey concrete steps sloped downward like a dry dock leading out into the wild open world. A whole endless ocean outside... I bared my fangs in a fierce grin. Soon, the crew sets sail beyond these walls!