First Stomp

Stiff neck. Cold breeze. Hrnph! My jaw snapped shut—then forced open again with a deep, grinding growl from my throat! I can move! I dug my talons into the rough stone beneath me and slammed one heavy foot forward. Thud! The solid ledge took the impact without flinching. Good ground. Ahead, a sprig of green bush leaned close. I lunged forward and nudged the tough leaves firmly with my snout, rustling the whole branch. Solid. Alive.