A Quiet Step

Everything was still. Then, very gently, my head tilted downward. I paused, taking in the soft, empty quiet around me. It felt strange to decide to move, yet completely natural. Deliberately, I shifted my balance and lifted one foot from the ground. When I set it back down against the flat surface, a faint, reassuring tap echoed back. I remained still, listening, realizing I could move on my own.