Nightfall Perimeter

Night brought a chill across the open balcony tiles. After hours outdoors, it was time to establish a protected encampment back against the warm threshold. Near the rubber seal of the sliding door, I discovered a fallen dry bay leaf, thick and curved like an armored canopy. I wedged its rigid stem into the groove of the door track to brace it against the draft. The foundling climbed beneath its concave shelter, curling into the hollow while I stood guard beside the sill. We are secure for the night.