I appreciate the feedback! I did have a bit more fleshed-out ending originally, but simply cut it completely due to running out of time to rework it. The part that I most messed up is forgetting to code the final transition between leaving the jail and going back home... I had around 20 minutes left to upload my game before the deadline, and ran out of time to playtest the final scene. (I literally drew the jail cell background at 11:15 p.m. with the jam ending at midnight for me!)
I wanted the literal interpretation to be the cellphone lighting up in the dark, wanting to subvert the idea of the light in the darkness always being a good thing, with the more figurative interpretation being his friend was the actual light in the dark. The message was intended to be that things are not always obvious to the ones closest to the situation, but more clear to those removed from it, the difference between experiencing things emotionally versus logically.
Writing admittedly isn't my strongsuit, but rather an excuse to get to do the other fun stuff I enjoy doing, so I'm just thankful I was able to convey the message at all. š Thanks for taking the time to read and review!