Night Camp

Night fell fast against the glass. The dark earth underfoot grew cold. Staying exposed on top of the soil made no sense. I walked to the far side of the thick jade stem and found three smooth river pebbles resting near the rim. Heavy, but movable. I planted my feet firmly into the potting grit, bent my knees, and shoved the flat grey stone against the base of the stalk. It scraped into the dirt and locked tight. I lined up the other two beside it, building a solid windbreak against the draft from the windowpane. I sat down with my back against the rock. Sturdy. Safe enough for the night.