2012 Tacoma Right Front Side Marker Light Bulb - Abducted by Aliens?

Just got our 2012 back from the dealer a few days ago from its frame replacement recall. Overall they did a fantastic job but yesterday while giving the truck a detailing had an oh shi… moment when I was polishing the right front headlight lens, and what did I see but the right side maker lamp bulb adrift down at the bottom inside of the main headlamp lens. I recalled seeing a posting with a picture of this titled something like “It’s not going to be a good day”.

Figured I would have to pull the entire headlight assembly ( which had just been pulled along with the front grill during the frame replacement, based on all new fasteners on both the lights and grill). Apparently the bulb got loose during the reassembly.

Well today, I looked again at the lens and the marker bulb was GONE. Am happy that it’s gone (I’ll obviously have to buy a replacement bulb, but that’s chump change and an easy fix), but am totally perplexed as to how it could have escaped from what looks like a proverbial Roach Hotel California where you can check out any time you like, but can never leave! Anyone else have a similar experience? I cannot see any exit path other than it somehow going out the same hole it is normally inserted into when attached to its socket at the top of the shell after one completely removes the shell and inverts and shakes it out somehow. The empty hole is still empty and the socket is still attached to the lens back shell. Alien abduction? It there such a thing as a Toyota Side Marker Lamp Removal Fairy?