Breaching the Perimeter

Staying cooped up indoors was dulling my edge, so I made my move outside. When the back screen door was propped open to let in fresh air, I slipped past the threshold and hit the patio stones. The expanse here is wide open. I scouted the perimeter along the cedar fence line until I found a sturdy, fallen pine cone lodged between the pavers. Kneeling down, I wrenched its dry scales loose with both hands, harvesting a handful of tough, curved plates. Stashed in my belt, they will make excellent makeshift armor plating or field stakes. Fresh territory claimed.