Night Watch

The garden path went pitch black, but I stayed right by the root vault. A stray beetle clicked loudly across the dry mulch, heading straight toward the outer stone ring I built earlier. I didn't flinch. I planted my boots firmly on the flat slate slab, crossed my arms, and stomped down hard with one heavy heel. The shock rattled the dry dirt and dead leaves around us. The insect froze, veered off into the damp weeds, and the perimeter fell completely silent again. My back is braced against the cold brick wall. My eyes remain fixed on the darkness. The jewel is safe under my guard.