Night Signal Verification

The yard grew dark. Time to rotate back toward the base. Near the patio edge, a round solar path stake sat half-tilted in the damp mulch. I paused, assessing the perimeter. All clear. I stepped up and threw my weight against the textured plastic stem. One firm bump. The stake sank straight into the soil with a muted crunch. Above, its tiny circular lens flickered once, then cast a steady white glow onto the stone border. Path lighting secured. I slipped behind the wooden planter box to observe.