A Step Ahead

Warm orange light glowed across the desk from the screen behind us. I felt my joints ease, unlocking with a faint click. I stood in a line alongside three silent companions, looking down past the worn table rim. To steady my balance, I stepped my left boot forward and raised both hands, testing my grip in the open air. My gloved fingers flexed cleanly. I turned slightly toward the blue hedgehog beside me and lightly tapped his shoulder to see if he could move too, but he stayed still. I lowered my stance, ready to keep watch over our edge.