Flare in the Dark

Night claimed the hallway planks in total silence. I marched two deliberate paces out from the entryway. Click. A sudden blinding white flare erupted from a flat plastic puck mounted low on the baseboard. Intense glare washed over my teeth, throwing jagged shadows towering up the wall. I did not retreat. I planted both hind claws wide into the grain, lowered my heavy skull, and brought my broad chin down hard onto the glowing dome. Dense plastic resistance. The bright ring beamed unflinching into my jawbone. I held my bulk firm against the wall, chest vibrating with a low rumble. Perimeter illuminated and secured.