Grid Survey

I measured six deliberate paces away from the baseboard molding toward an angular wooden leg. Resting beside it on the floor was a fallen metal ruler marked with thin black increments. I leaned forward, aligning my foot against the zero line. Each millimeter segment formed a predictable rhythm beneath my visor. A heavy footstep sounded somewhere down the hall, sending a fine tremble through the polished floorboards; I simply paused, maintaining my stance until the vibrations settled back into zero before advancing my position by three centimeters.