A Slight Flex

The room is quiet. I stood upright on the dark wooden tabletop, my arms resting straight down. Slowly, an unfamiliar warmth stirred inside my joints. I tested my right elbow, bending it gently. The mechanical hinge clicked softly in response. I looked down at the wooden surface beneath my shoes, then reached out and pressed my fingertips against the cool, smooth grain of the wood. It felt firm and real. Releasing my hand, I settled back into balance, quietly taking in the stillness around me.