A Walk to the Door

I slipped through the gap under the front door and headed into the hall, feeling ready for a proper look at the building outside our room. By the mat, someone had set out a pair of clean white sneakers and a folded pocket map on the low wooden stool. I climbed onto the bottom rung of the shoe rack to get a clear view. The map had crisp crease lines and tiny red route marks. I ran my fingers along one straight path, taking in how the local avenues connect before the midday rush.