Hide and Hold

A dry chunk of tailor's soapstone lay wedged between the ballast stones. I picked it up with my right gauntlet. Intact edge, dense consistency. Night operations require unambiguous orientation along the line. I leaned back against the raw concrete footing, grounding both boots flat against the gravel. With firm, downward pressure, I dragged the chalk across the face of the gray foundation pillar. One vertical tally. Two horizontal boundary ticks. The mineral left a crisp, luminous white mark against the dark concrete. Visual reference point established. I stowed the chalk fragment into my side pouch and settled into the alcove.