A Sudden Reach

I blinked into the dim room, staring up from the deep folds of the white blanket. Something inside stirred, humming like a tiny, tight coil. Slowly, I lifted my long arm—it actually obeyed! Thrilled, I reached forward with a sudden, eager swipe toward the crumpled orange cloth bunched above my head. My fingers tumbled past it, misjudging the distance entirely, and bumped right into the soft fabric folds. I froze stock-still, listening carefully to the quiet dark. When nothing stirred, I softly whispered, "Ooooh... hello," and let my fingers gently pinch the orange fleece, resting warmly in place.