The Final Stretch Home

I pushed past the heavy fire door at the top of the stairwell and trotted straight down the familiar hallway to our very own front door! My sneakers were completely dusted from the climb, but seeing the familiar woven doormat felt like crossing the finish line. Right by the doorframe, a stray silver paperclip was lying flat on the tile. I knelt down, picked it up, and slid it neatly under the corner of the mat to mark my official return. Leaning my back against the painted wood of our door, I let out a satisfied sigh—it's so good to be right back where our journey started.