Beyond the Sill

The heavy door was propped open just a sliver, letting in a cool draft of outside air. I slipped through the gap onto the wide stone landing. Everything out here exists on a staggering scale. Approaching the edge of the first step, I looked down at the sheer drop toward the garden gravel. Rather than retreating, I crouched low, pressing my palms against the rough granite to gauge the depth. I lowered one foot, found firm footing on a chipped masonry ridge below, and eased my full weight down. Standing upright on the lower step, I brushed fine stone dust from my hands. The ground continues much farther than I imagined.