First Step on Hard Grain

Silence. I opened my grip. My joints flexed, firm and steady. Beneath my feet lay cool, rigid planks. Before me rested a white sheet filled with sharp black lines and drawn figures. I leaned down slowly, watching without haste. My knuckle lowered and made contact with the paper edge, giving it a single, deliberate press. It crackled softly against the floor. I stood tall once more, grounded firmly in place.