A faint path leads across the darkened yard, passing beside the fire exit from the addition. At about 20 feet from the door, two floodlights bathe the gently sloping side yard in warm light, clear to the trees surrounding the house. Despite the sudden flood of light, the side yard feels disconcerting
The fire exit has no handle or release mechanism for the latch outside. You may walk around to the front of the house or the back of the house.