Securing the Container
A fallen galvanized metal can lay on its side along the rear perimeter. I halted two paces back. Waited. No movement inside. No vibration. I approached and gripped the dented lip with both gauntlets. It was light, empty, and unstable against the ground. Unacceptable. I gathered three smooth river stones from the fence trench and placed them methodically inside the rim. One. Two. Three. I set the vessel upright against the weathered cedar post and applied downward pressure with my forearm. Solid. No tipping. The outpost holds.

