A Found Fastener

I stepped beneath the rusted iron fire escape to stay clear of the rain. Right against the mortar line of the brick wall, a faint glint caught my eye—a weathered brass safety pin wedged into a sidewalk crack. I crouched down, worked it free with my claws, and scraped off the loose grit. The spring still held firm with a crisp, muted snap. After wiping the metal clean against my palm, I threaded it through the edge of my hoodie sleeve. It added just a hint of solid weight, exactly where it belonged.