A Solid Perimeter

Pushed the heavy brass lid open with my shoulder. Dawn clear. Path unblocked. Stepped out onto the parquet floorboards, sword held ready. Two paces left, spotted high-grade material: a thick strip of textured golden washi tape, edge peeled loose from a cardboard carton. Immediate structural asset. Planted my boots firm, hooked the sticky ribbon with my blade tip, and peeled a clean four-inch length free. Grunted with effort as I pressed it flat across the floorboards in front of my tin threshold. Shiny yellow barrier line established. Clear marker. Perimeter locked.