Testing the Ground

The air felt cool and wide open. I tried a small test first, flexing my right leg. A crisp click answered, and my foot lifted right off the grey stone. It worked. I leaned forward, tapping the rough concrete surface with my curved hand to check the grip. Solid, gritty, and completely real. The smooth dark hood of the car rested silently right behind me, but my own joints were humming. One deliberate step forward, and I paused there on the ledge, perfectly balanced.