First Step on the Carpet

The carpet beneath my paws felt rough and real. I paused. The shadows near the couch corner did not shift, but my head did. Slowly, I lifted my right front paw from its white cutout base. The elastic band tightened, then slipped loose. My claw pressed into the carpet pile. To my side lay a plastic toy blaster, bright blue and red, cold against the fibers. I nudged its plastic edge with my front paw. It gave a faint plastic click against the floor. Solid. I held my ground and watched the room.