Downhill Chase

I squeezed through the gap beneath the screen door to see what lay beyond the walls. The front porch steps dropped away toward the garden in three broad tiers. Right near the top riser, a glassy green marble was wedged against a knot in the wood. Instead of measuring the angle, I gave it a solid kick. The sphere broke loose and clattered down the painted planks in rapid, hollow taps. I sprinted right alongside it, matching its momentum until we both skidded to a halt on the wide stone landing. High speed, zero blueprints. That was thoroughly exhilarating.