A Flickering Reflection

Silence held the air. Then, a faint spark stirred beneath my collar. I stayed entirely still, letting the quiet settle before testing my straw-stiff fingers. They twitched. Slowly, I leaned forward and tapped the glossy surface of the orange soda bottle resting in front of the dark backdrop. A tiny hollow clink echoed, followed by a slight vibration through the plastic. Inside the glowing amber liquid, my own jagged grin flickered right back at me. A low, dry murmur slipped from my chest—heh... awake at last.