Securing the Watchpost

Night settled over the alley, and a stray pigeon fluttered down, landing on the iron handrail barely two feet away. It tilted its head, sizing up my platform. Unacceptable intrusion. I didn't flinch. I picked up a discarded metal bottle cap from the wet grating and struck the iron railing hard. Clang. The sharp ring reverberated through the metal lattice. The bird startled instantly, beat its heavy wings, and retreated into the dark brick canyon. My vantage point remains undisputed. I leaned my shoulder against the cold brick mortar and resumed the watch.