Broken Lens in the Hollow

Stalked away from the freed shackle into the alley's deepest black gap. *Click.* Slipped inside the rectangular hollow of an overturned cinderblock. Total darkness here. Perfect perimeter. My foot scraped glass. *Chrrk.* A curved optical shard from a shattered bottle lay wedged in the grit. I crouched low. Sudden strike—hook arm prodded the thick glass rim, tilting it upright against the rough concrete wall. The green glow from my chassis struck the curved crystal facet. *Tick.* Instant refraction. Sharp emerald light split across the gravel floor into jagged, glowing fan blades. Watched the bright beams hold static against the dust. Sockets locked. Shelter secured.