Leo at the Harbor Gate- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

Leo reached the harbor just after sunrise, pulling a small suitcase behind him.

He has visited this harbor twice before, but today carried new purpose.

The morning ferry to Isle Point was already warming its engines.

A narrow bridge that linked the ticket hall to the pier stood ahead.

Strollers, bikes, and rolling bags tangled, slowing every step.

Leo examined a service tunnel running below the bridge, usually closed for carts.

The iron gate was half open, perhaps left during night deliveries.

He ducked inside, shoes clicking against damp concrete.

Halfway through, pipes hissed and a trolley rolled toward him, blocking the path.

He pressed flat to the wall, letting the trolley clatter past before moving again.

When he reached the far grate, bright water glittered beyond it.

The ferry horn sounded, deeper and closer than expected.

It had been delayed by a slow cargo boat, giving him spare minutes.

Leo climbed the final ladder and stepped onto the deck.

He quickly wiped gray dust from his jacket sleeves.

The whistle blew again; the ropes were lifted, and his quiet nod marked success.

里歐在日出後抵達港口，拖著一只小行李箱。

他以前已經到過這個港口兩次，但今天有了新的目標。

前往島嶼角的晨間渡輪正啟動引擎。

連接售票大廳與碼頭的狹窄橋樑就在前方。

嬰兒車、自行車與滾動的行李交錯，讓每一步都變慢。

里歐注意到橋下有條服務隧道，平常只供推車通行。

鐵閘半開，可能是夜間送貨後忘了關。

他彎身鑽入，鞋底在潮濕的水泥地上發出清脆聲。

走到一半，管線噴氣，一輛手推車迎面而來擋住道路。

他貼著牆等待手推車隆隆通過後才繼續前進。

抵達遠端的柵門時，閃亮的水面就在外頭閃爍。

渡輪的汽笛聲傳來，比想像中更低沉、更近。

因為一艘緩慢的貨船，渡輪晚了一會兒，替他爭取了時間。

里歐爬上最後的梯子，踏上甲板。

他迅速拍去外套袖口上的灰塵。

汽笛再響，纜繩被收起，他輕輕點頭，算是為自己劃下成功的句點。