A Snap in the Shallows

Eyes clear. Tension in the jaw. I felt the rigid plastic loosen, followed by a faint pulse along my spine. Below me lay a dense, fibrous terrain—pale loops of carpet stretching out. I dipped my snout down, slow and calculated. My lower jaw brushed the stiff fibers. A soft scratch. Real texture. I snapped my jaws shut once to test the grip, holding my position low against the rough ground, scanning every angle before making another move.