Iron and Echoes

The metal door gap was just wide enough to slip through. I climbed out onto the black painted iron slats of the fire escape, cold air stinging right away. Far below, a bakery van rattled over a pothole. I ducked behind a chipped green flower planter to watch before taking another step. When the street settled, I reached down and gave the hollow railing bar a firm rap with my knuckle. *Clang.* A deep, humming vibration pulsed along the rail and buzzed up into my hand, vibrating in tune with the distant subway rumbling beneath the pavement.