Perched on the Iron Dome

I slipped out the window, climbed down the fire escape ladder, and jogged straight to the fire hydrant anchored by the curb. Its thick steel chain dangled from the side nozzle, hanging down like an open invitation. I leaped up, hooked my curved hands through the heavy links, and hauled myself upward link by link. The metal rattled with a muffled clink against the weathered red paint every time I kicked off the iron. Pulling past the side hex nut, I scrambled onto the rounded dome at the very top. Standing upright with both boots planted on that iron curve, I had a clear line of sight all the way down the block.