Fire Escape Outpost

Slipping through the cracked lower window sash was easy enough, but stepping onto an actual fire escape? Definitely a workout for the calves. The black iron grating feels like giant parallel bars under my boots, and one look straight down shows the brick alleyway stretching out below. I crouched near the railing and found a massive rusted pulley holding the emergency drop-ladder chain. With both hands, I gave a loose steel washer on the main pivot pin a solid nudge—it spun with a surprisingly musical rattle before settling. First outdoor outpost officially secured, and the view is unmatched.