Nighttime Roost

The alley went dark fast, so I ducked behind a massive green metal dumpster to set up camp out of the wind. Tucked between the wheel and the greasy brick wall was an old wooden shipping pallet resting on the damp asphalt. I hauled myself onto the rough pine slats, dusted some dried dirt off my knees, and leaned my back right against the rusted iron rim of the dumpster. It's solid, cold, and nobody's gonna bother me here while the street settles down.