Cold Green Light

I stopped before a low hollow beneath an overturned oak root, drawn by a dim greenish glow. Clustered along the damp, mossy wood was a shelf of bioluminescent mushrooms shining steadily in the dark. I took two slow, measured steps closer and lowered my snout to inspect them. They gave off no heat, only a clean scent of damp earth and decaying timber. Carefully, I tapped the edge of the largest cap with the blunt tip of my snout; it felt cool, smooth, and firm. With the pale light illuminating the dark loam around me, I folded my legs beneath my belly and rested my heavy chin flat against the ground, watching the quiet glow.