Beyond the Threshold

I crept past the cracked front door, inching down until my paws met the rough wood of the front porch step. Out here, the air felt vast and cool against my nose. A crisp maple leaf was caught against the floorboards, trembling whenever a light breeze brushed past. I reached out one paw with great care, nudging the curled edge aside to find a smooth round pebble tucked beneath. Down at the sidewalk, a neighbor's dog trotted by, its collar softly clinking. I rested my chin on my forepaws and watched the street wake up, savoring the big world just outside.