Alley Outpost

The timber gate fell behind me as night swallowed the back street. Crushed gravel gave way to cold asphalt. Near a damp brick wall, a heavy concrete cinder block sat half-buried in grit. Dense, brutal aggregate. I slammed both hands into its hollow core, planted my boots wide against the stones, and heaved. The block dragged an inch through the dirt with a guttural, grinding roar before locking fast against the foundation. I hauled my frame upward in one explosive leap, driving both boots onto the rough upper rim. Shadows stretch down the alley without end. I command this outpost.