Taking Stock

The stiffness left my joints all at once. I blinked, finding myself propped up against a heap of soft fabric and pillows. Testing my balance, I eased my right arm forward and pushed lightly against the patterned cloth beside me. It held. Right next to me, a space ranger figure lay sprawled out, completely still. I leaned over carefully, reached out a hand, and tapped his arm cuff to see if he'd stir. Nothing. Just quiet fabric all around. I settled firmly back in my sitting spot, eyes alert, taking watch over our little ridge.