A Flashlight in the Dark

I walked behind the floor-length curtain where the room turns quiet and dark. Resting on the low baseboard was a small aluminum pocket flashlight, switched off and cool. I paused, watching the faint reflection of the streetlights along its knurled metal barrel. Stepping closer, I pressed my plush palms firmly against the rubber push-button on its tail. With a crisp click, a clean white beam shot across the floorboards, cutting a bright, circular planet of light against the base of the sofa. I sat down beside the glowing cylinder, observing the sharp ring.