A Pillar in the Dark

The dark room was silent when I reached the credenza. A heavy black aluminum penlight lay flat beside a small porcelain dish. I stood motionless, assessing its weight before stepping forward. Taking it in hand, I set the cylinder upright on its flat base. One firm press against the tail switch clicked. A narrow beam of stark white light shot straight up into the shadow, casting a perfect, bright circle onto the high ceiling above. I tilted my head slowly, keeping my fingers against the cool metal body. A solitary beacon anchored in the quiet dark.