Sixth-Floor Bivouac

The elevator doors parted with a muffled hum. Heavy wool carpet swallowed the impact of my boots. No movement along the corridor. I tracked down the sixth-tier passage to a recessed wall alcove beside an apartment threshold. Elevated half a meter off the floorboards, a solid oak display ledge offered reliable cover. Resting on the timber was a shallow cast-iron tray, cold and empty. I scaled the trim onto the shelf. The angle shields from overhead glare while maintaining a clean line of sight down the hallway. Unhooking the rifle sling, I braced against the plaster recess and drew the residual pavement dust from my gauntlets. The sector is quiet. Resting now.