A Shift in Weight

Stillness broke. First came the subtle tension in my right wrist. I tightened my fingers around the miniature skull cradled in my palm, feeling its curved bone surface yield slightly under deliberate pressure. The painted trees behind me did not stir. I adjusted my wide stance, planting my feet firmly to test my balance against the ground. The weight in my hand was real, solid, and entirely under my control. I paused, letting the silence settle again while observing the perimeter.