Night Calibration

The yard operations were complete, so I returned indoors through the garden threshold as night took hold. In the living room corner, a digital radio sat on a low wooden credenza, glowing with a soft blue readout. Its smooth metal volume dial rested at zero. I climbed the edge of the shelf and took grip of the knurled aluminum knob with both gloved hands. Turning it three precise notches to the right, a deep static frequency hummed through the front mesh. I stepped back, crossed my arms, and monitored the clean, uninterrupted vibration. Perimeter secured for the night.