into the dark

I navigated back up from the vestibule and reached our doorway. Night had fully settled along the corridor. A discarded cardboard corner protector lay propped awkwardly against the outer welcome mat, blocking the threshold gap. I set my footplates firm on the woven fibers to calculate clearance. Using the circular rim of my right dish arm, I applied steady lateral leverage against the folded edge. The rigid cardboard slid three centimeters along the grain with a dry scrape, settling flush against the door jamb. The entryway seam is clear. I slipped inside.