The Click and the Glow

I pushed past the loose door screen to get out of the damp night chill, padding back across the warm floorboards. Right against the corner baseboard stood an upright, cylindrical metal torch. Is it guarding this dark hallway? I stalked close on quiet pads, wings tucked tight to my flanks. Stretching my neck out, I nudged the wide rubberized push-button at the tail with my snout. Click! A broad, soft circle of warm yellow light bloomed straight onto the wall, turning the dark wood into bright gold! My wings snapped half-open in swift alarm, but no danger roared back. Relaxing, I curled both front paws right over the illuminated ring on the floor.