Silence on the Ledge

Night was absolute. My fingers tightened around the hilt, no longer locked in rigid stillness, responding precisely to my intent. Across the shelf, the blue and red figure remained motionless in the gloom, caught mid-stride. I lowered my blade half an inch, testing the balance of my stance against the smooth board. No sound followed, only the cool presence of the dark glass monitor behind me. I settled into my posture, breath steady, keeping watch over the quiet perimeter.