Night Wedge

Night had overtaken the driveway basin. I stepped along the lower brake caliper into the fork junction, where two steel tubes meet the steering crown. A discarded zip-tie tail, stiff black nylon, lay curled inside the triangular recess. I gripped the ribbed strap with both fists, hauled it straight, and jammed the tapered tip directly behind the brake spring. A dry mechanical click signaled a flush seat. I leaned my weight forward and struck the nylon strut with the heel of my fist. Zero lateral play. The caliper bracket cannot shift. Station fortified. I locked my boots wide and initiated scheduled night watch.