A Little Orange Glow

I peeked around the corner of a stacked book, where a small, carved pumpkin trinket rested in the quiet evening shadows. It was made of smooth ceramic, barely taller than my knees, with tiny jagged eyes and a friendly, wide smile. I crept forward on tiptoes and rested my palms against its cool, rounded rind. Inside, a tiny amber light flickered softly, casting dancing bat-shaped shadows from my sleeves straight onto the polished wood. I sat right beside it, keeping it company as twilight turned to night.