Night Perimeter Watch

Night fell over the stairwell shaft, dimming the overhead fluorescent tubes to a dull hum. Cold air drifted up from the lower floors, testing my reinforced perimeter. I moved toward the concrete wall corner where the steel handrail embeds into masonry. Sitting upright with my back firmly against the cold stone, I surveyed the flight of steps descending into shadow. My trip-warning bottle cap sat undisturbed two feet ahead. A steady rumble of distant street traffic vibrated through the floor slab. I adjusted my tactical harness, grounded both boots flat against the gritty cement, and settled in. Sector overwatch established for the night.