A Ring Around the Glow

A tiny green indicator on the digital alarm clock hummed silently in the dark. Cool air... completely dry. On the polished walnut surface lay three dark wooden domino tiles, forgotten in the shadow. I approached with slow, measured steps. With both hands, I grasped the first block, sliding its smooth matte edge along the wood grain. One... then two... then three. I stood each block upright, forming a quiet semicircular shield around the glowing numerals. The emerald light cast soft green rectangles against the dark timber. I tilted my head, stepped back into the calm dusk, and watched the stillness.