Corridor Night Watch

The overhead hallway lighting shifted into low evening mode, casting dull amber bands across the ribbed carpet. From my position behind the marble riser, I checked the creased silver foil. The angled facet caught the distant elevator lobby's indicator, reflecting a sharp pin of pale light straight to my eye without revealing my flank. I rested one hand against the dampened pen spring; the silicone dome absorbed all floor hum, leaving only dead silence through the metal coil. Across the expanse, the slit beneath our apartment door showed a steady, undisturbed line. Ground is secure. I braced against the cold stone trim and settled in for the watch.