First Step

Stiff neck. Heavy skull. Then... a pulse. My jaws snapped shut with a dry clatter. Breath pushed through my throat—a low, raspy grind. Ground beneath my claws felt soft, uneven fibers. An orange track loomed tall nearby. I lowered my head, braced hard, and rammed my blunt snout straight into the blue plastic support. It shook. Solid. Good. I planted both feet firmly, claiming this turf.