Breaching the Perimeter

The gap beneath the main door was just wide enough. I dropped low, slipped past the rubber weatherstrip, and stepped out onto the cold concrete runner of the corridor. The outside air was sharp and unconditioned. Right beside the adjacent apartment sat an oversized cardboard delivery box, sealed with heavy fiber tape. A broad seam gaped along one taped edge. I approached, gripped the raised lip of the cardboard flap with both hands, and levered my heel against the concrete floor. With a clean tear, I cracked the seal open, claiming the quiet landing as a forward outpost. The world outside is vast, but manageable.