Heavy Step
Jaw locked. Stiff. Then—snap. My throat clicks open. Real air rushes in. Stone underfoot. Rough countertop. Good. I shift weight forward. Left foot lifts, drives down hard. Thump. The surface hums back against my claws. A shallow white bowl sits right in my path. I strike the rim with my snout. It skids two inches. Cold ceramic. Solid friction. I raise my head and look down at the open drop below. High ground. I can move. I hold this ledge.