A Slanted View

The stairwell echoes if you move too fast, so I slid flat against the cool concrete under the steel railing. Midday stillness here is deep. Right by my elbow, a forgotten retractable tape measure lay wedged between the step and the wall, its yellow tongue stuck out just a sliver. I took a slow breath, resting one padded hand on the rubber casing. With the other, I nudged the tiny thumb slide forward. Snick. The spring inside grabbed the blade, zipping the thin metal tongue flush with the case before clicking firmly locked. Through the narrow gap of the balusters, the whole flight below stays quiet and in plain sight.