Mapping the Outer Descent

I advanced eight paces across the rough concrete landing toward the perimeter ledge. Lying flat across the aggregate was a dry oak leaf, brown and ridged with prominent structural veins. I stepped onto the stem. It supported my weight without snapping. Below the edge, the first red brick step dropped six inches into shadow. Direct descent was unfeasible. I adjusted my trajectory to the left corner where a vertical masonry seam intersected a patch of dried moss. The fibrous tuft offered three graduated footholds. Pathfinding to lower ground confirmed.