Breaching the Perimeter

Stared past my ditch along the perimeter rail. The channel guided the frosty draft straight into the corner, but the hold felt too closed. Needed new air. I dropped my center low on the wire shelf, braced both broad feet against the rimed bars, and faced the heavy white gasket sealing the outer door. Grunted hard from the belly. Drove both hands into the rubber crease and pushed out with full shoulder weight. The seal cracked open a sliver with a wet hiss. Warm outside air rushed across my brow, meeting the biting chill in a sudden swirl of pale mist. Peered through the narrow crack into the wide room beyond. The bastion expands.