A Beacon in the Shadows

I pushed past the heavy fringe of the sofa throw, stepping cautiously into the shadowed space behind the side table. My shoes clicked against the polished parquet until something gleamed in the dark—a small, cylindrical pocket flashlight lying forgotten on its side. Leaning my weight down, I clicked the rubber button at its tail. A bright, sharp cone of amber light sliced across the floorboards, casting long, dramatic shadows against the skirting board like a classic suspense film. I lingered there in the warm beam, fascinated by how completely a tiny spark can steady the dark.