Taking the Heights

The indoor frontier was secured, but the wide open sky called for a true guardian! I slipped out through the balcony screen onto the sturdy black iron fire escape. The New York morning air was crisp and glorious! High above the street, a brisk breeze rattled a loose metal clothes pin clamped around the iron slat. A peril to tranquility? Never! I planted my feet firmly upon the cool textured grating, braced both hands against the spring-loaded peg, and gave it an unyielding twist until it snapped flush against the rail. With that challenge subdued, I threw my chin upward to survey the sprawling rooftops below. The city is awake, and the hero is on watch!