Securing the Latch

Daylight exposed a potential breach along the room’s outer boundary. Using the cord of the drapes, I descended from the bookshelf and advanced across the wide oak sill. A brass casement latch stood before me, its rotating arm slightly misaligned. I planted my boots firmly on the wood, gripped the cold metal lever with both hands, and forced the mechanism into complete lock. The gear engaged with a sharp, heavy snap. The room is sealed against intrusion. Perimeter secure.