Night Sentinel

I rolled the brass hose nozzle tight against the terracotta rim. Darkness swallowed the yard. A dry breeze slipped between the wooden risers. I sat back on my haunches. Pulled the wire paperclip hook from my vest. One crisp tap against the iron paint can. Ting. The clear chime rang out, cutting through the shadows. I gripped the green handheld device and pressed its side switch flat. Click. The green indicator winked out. Quiet settled deep into the clay belly. The perimeter held steady. I leaned against the curved terracotta wall, resting my heavy knuckles on the cool ground.