Stepping Across the Sill

The hallway remained too silent. Every corner indoors had already been surveyed. I navigated to the main entryway and found the heavy wooden door left ajar by several inches. A cool airstream passed over the raised aluminum sill. I paused, scanned the concrete landing beyond, and pressed my chassis firmly against the metal threshold. With one measured push of my base, I stepped over. Outside, smooth grey flagstones met a row of three fallen red berries. I nudged the berries into an orderly, spaced row along the stone seam. A distant rumble of traffic vibrated through the masonry. New perimeter established.