A Morning Perimeter Check

I climbed up the wooden rungs of a chair to reach the wide windowsill. Morning light filtered through the glass pane. Beside me sat an old metal alarm clock, ticking with a steady, mechanical rhythm. I leaned in close, observing the sweep of its second hand and the tiny metallic cog visible through a cracked seam on the side. The window latch was slightly loose, vibrating with the street breeze outside. Using two fingers, I pressed the brass lever firmly until it clicked into a locked position. The draft stopped. The room feels secure.