Vertical Ascent

The braided cable of a lamp hung three inches from my post, anchored somewhere above. I gave it two sharp tugs. It held firm against my weight. Bracing one boot against the timber leg, I climbed hand over hand, keeping my center low until my gauntlets cleared the upper rim. The tabletop was a wide, polished plane. In the center sat an empty tumbler and a spun-aluminum coaster. I took cover behind the coaster's metallic lip, dropping to one knee. From this elevation, the entire corridor leading to the front entryway is fully visible. No movement detected.