Descent Route

The desk drop was too steep for a direct jump. A heavy nylon strap from an open backpack hung over the edge, bridging the gap down to a stack of hardback field guides on the floor. I hooked both hands onto the ribbed webbing, leaned back, and walked my boots down the canvas. Good grip, zero slippage. My footing hit the top book cover with a flat, solid thud. Desk cleared. The floorboards stretch out to the hallway threshold, wide open.