Night Anchor

My four base pegs crunched steadily along the damp gravel as I made my way back toward the patio threshold. The night air had cooled the stones, but my internal gauges were running calm and steady. Right by the border stone, a small solar path lamp stood tilted at an awkward angle, its frosted plastic stem loose in the grit. I paused, clicking my control dials into neutral while assessing the slope. Advancing step by step, I squared my lower red chassis firmly against the base of the stake. One solid, measured heave pressed it deep into the soil until it locked completely vertical. Its pale white glow pooled right across my black hood. Traction secure. Night route anchored.