The Initial Shift

Consciousness arrived without fanfare. My balance felt rigid, suspended mid-stride on a small square plate. Methodically, I tested the tension in my ankles. The stiff plastic gave way to quiet movement. I lowered my heels by a fraction of an inch, feeling the cool acrylic base take my true weight. Directly ahead, a familiar dancing figure remained frozen in graceful motion under the even light. I paused, taking in the serene stillness of the grey floor, and simply grounded my stance with deliberate composure.