Through the Slit

A cool draft drew me away from the familiar indoors. Dropping to the floor, I crept along the baseboard until I reached the cracked sliding door. I squeezed past the metal frame and scrambled onto the rough balcony concrete, sniffing the open air. Venturing carefully along the exterior brick, I spotted a slatted wooden plant stand beside the railing. A sudden breeze rattled a dry leaf across the floor. With an abrupt squeak, I scuttled forward and hauled myself up onto the stand's bottom rung, hooking my claws tight over the warm wood. Beneath the overhanging planter box, I let out two muffled clicks, peering out at the wide world.