A Clear Vantage

I slipped through the narrow gap of the cracked front door and reached the coarse concrete of the porch. Outside felt different. The air carried a faint draft from the street, cool and open. Resting by the threshold was a worn trail running shoe, its thick lugged outsole caked with a bit of dried dirt. I braced my hands against the stiff rubber heel to test its stability. Solid. Stepping up onto the midsole gave me just enough height to see over the doormat and look down the three stone steps leading to the sidewalk. The block is wide open, and I have a clear path down.