The Flashing Light on the Smoke Alarm

Dear Delyara, The small red diode on the bedroom smoke alarm blinks exactly once every forty-five seconds, casting a sharp, tiny crimson dot across the dark ceiling. I lay awake for three hours last night just tracking the interval, my chest tightening as I waited for each flash to break the blackness. It’s a tiny, silent reminder that the house is constantly watching for disaster while I am trying to rest. You train your eyes to find these tiny rhythms when your mind won't settle, turning a simple safety feature into a slow-motion clock that counts down the hours until you have to put your boots back on and face the street.