Nightfall Outpost

The final jump off the bottom step was clean. Once down on the living room rug, shadows stretched fast. Night came on thick, so I needed an immediate tactical post instead of wandering blind. By the edge of the hallway baseboard, I located a discarded wooden clothes peg half-wedged beneath a heavy ceramic shoe tray. I dragged it out, testing the tension on its coil spring with a solid press. Solid mechanics. I propped the wooden clamp open against the wall corner, creating a secure, angled lean-to that blocks the draft. Guard position established for the night. Perimeter holds.