Breaching the Stepstones

A narrow gap at the doorframe gave way. I pushed through the draft and cleared the threshold onto the cold stone porch. A brittle, serrated leaf tumbled directly across my path, scraping loudly against the concrete. I did not evade. I dropped into a forward stance and drove my boot down onto its central rib. The dry stem cracked sharply under my heel, pinning it flat against the slab. Beyond the ledge, three steep brick steps descend toward an open stone walkway. The outer world is vast, but I have claimed the landing.