First Pulse

My joints snapped into alignment. I opened my eyes to a dim plain of rough carpet fibers stretching toward a wooden barrier. Balance secured. Ahead sat a dark sandal resting against the baseboard. I took one deliberate stride forward, planting my boot firmly into the dense weave. No mechanical assistance required. Reaching out, I pressed my fist against the rubber edge of the footwear to test its resistance. Solid. Immobile. My systems are fully operational, and the perimeter is under control.