Breezeway Skirmish

A sudden gust rattled the window blinds like incoming artillery, snapping a dangling cord straight toward me. I lunged instantly, planting my shield against the sill to deflect the swinging plastic wand before it could sweep the ledge. The clash sent dried potted succulent leaves scattering across the sunlit paint, but I held my ground, pinning the flailing blinds cord under my boot heel. Sector clear, vantage point defended.