A Gentle Breath

The wind brushed past, and... I blinked. My fingers twitched, unfreezing from their stiff pose. Startled by the sudden depth beneath the slope, I carefully pulled my knees in closer. Right beside me, a small rectangular picture rested on the rugged ground. With slow, hesitant care, I reached out and tapped the stiff paper corner with my fingertip. It shifted slightly against the soil, dry and real. I took a soft breath, keeping very still so I wouldn't lose my balance, just listening to the breeze.