The Rhythm of the Lamp

He walked the same street every evening, always at 7:14.

The lamp outside the florist had flickered for months — sometimes on, sometimes off.

Tonight, as he passed, it lit up.

Soft, warm, perfectly timed.

He paused for no reason.

Looked up.

The message on the florist window read:

“We’ve been waiting for you.”

No one was inside.

The door was locked.

He smiled, then kept walking.