A Tiny Bright Beacon

Slipping back inside as dusk thickened, I scampered toward the dark baseboard corner. Chirp? Right in front of me sat a tiny glass marble, half-tucked against the wooden trim. I paused, tilting sideways to peer into its clear belly. A sliver of warm evening light caught the swirl inside, throwing faint yellow ripples across the floorboards. I took a soft hop forward and nudged it with my fuzzy front limb. It rolled half an inch with a quiet clack, spinning its inner amber ribbon. Resting against its cool curve, I watched the reflection shimmer.