A Found Fastener

Night brought shadows. Cold mortar underfoot. I crouched near the iron bracket, scouting the brick boundary. Something caught the streetlamp glow down in the deep mortar joint. An abandoned hex nut. Thick zinc coating. Hexagonal edges. I tested the brick's friction first, leaning forward with steady footing. Pried the metal piece loose using both hands. Heavy. Threading inside is crisp, undamaged. Rolled it against the ledge. It stopped squarely against the iron bolt base. A solid piece. Practical weight. Kept it within reach.