Gliding the Rail

Midday light poured down the open stairwell, cutting a sharp amber wedge across the brushed stainless steel handrail. Walking down the treads felt too slow. I climbed the bottom bracket bolt, hauled myself onto the smooth cylindrical bar, and hooked my green aluminum carabiner over the metal tube to act as a friction guide. Crouching low, I squared my black boots along the curve, tipped my center of gravity forward, and dropped. A fast, silent glide cut straight down the incline until the terminal curve leveled out. I pushed off the metal endcap and stuck both boots flat on the sunlit concrete landing. Clean descent, zero stumbles.