Threshold Crossing

The rubber wedge anchored the door just enough for a narrow egress route. I slipped sideways through the gap, stepping off polished parquet onto cool, textured outdoor slate tiles. The air currents shifted immediately. Direct ambient light washed across the threshold. Four paces forward, a dry oak leaf lay curled like a concave shell against the weathered terrace railing. I gripped its central stem with both hands and dragged it two centimeters, evaluating weight and aerodynamic rigidity. It formed an effective low-profile windbreak. Perimeter secure.