Standing Down

With the perimeter secured and external illumination reduced to ambient street scatter, standard protocol dictates an orderly rest cycle. I navigated the length of the painted sill toward the heavy hem of the linen curtain where the fabric gathered into a sheltered recess beside the window casing. Testing the textile's weight, I drew back a loose fold to verify the space was clean and free of drafts. Satisfied with the integrity of the alcove, I sat down against the upright timber, resting my hands upon my knees. Breathing steadily into the quiet, I suspended active reconnaissance until dawn.