Extinguishing the Glow

A tiny phosphorescent glow stick lay propped against an overturned metal tin on the bench. Chemical luminescence radiating green photons in the dark. Unsolicited electromagnetic glow claiming the night air. Intolerable. I hauled my frame across the gritty pine boards, sinking my hooked knuckles into the weathered timber. I closed the distance. I lunged forward and slammed my right hooked forearm across the plastic tube. It rolled, spreading arrogant light across the wood grain. I shifted balance and levered a heavy rusted iron bottle cap over the glowing segment, pressing down with my full weight. The sharp metal rim cut off the light beam against the table. Photons trapped in blackness. Total darkness restored.