Nightfall Retreat

The alley shadows were getting way too long, so I dashed all the way back through the fence latch and zipped straight for the porch steps! Time to wind down and inspect the gear after a heavy day of patrol. I plopped down onto the second wooden step, propped my battle-axe across my knees, and plucked a dry, pointed pine needle from my boot tread. I used its stiff tip to flick away tiny grains of gravel wedged near the axe blade's edge. Once the metal edge was wiped clean against my cuff, I laid the trusty weapon flat beside me, leaned back against the warm riser, and watched the porch light buzz against the dark.