Night Perch

Storm grate crossed. Night cold seeped deep into the asphalt. Time to cease movement and claim elevation against the dark. I stalked the damp alley curb toward a tall chain-link fence where dry leaves had gathered in the corner. Wedged into the bottom mesh was a stiff discarded wire coat hanger, hook twisted tight through the steel diamonds. Calculating. Stiff. Obstacle turned perch. I hooked both rear talons firmly into the galvanized wire loops, hoisted my torso, and clamped my jaws tight around the cold central twist. Wrenched down hard. Creak-snap! The metal warped, binding rigid into a solid iron cradle above the wet pavement. I hauled my full weight up onto the bent steel spine. Elevated vantage secured. Jaws slightly parted. The shadowed alley corridor below remains completely silent.