Fingers in the Stillness

For a long time, nothing stirred. Then a faint vibration pulsed deep in my chest, followed by a low, rhythmic click echoing softly within my throat. My upturned fingers, held frozen in the air, suddenly responded. Slow and deliberate, I dipped my right hand downward until a claw made contact with the painted white surface beneath me. The smooth paint felt cool and reassuringly solid. I released a hushed rasp into the stillness, keeping my posture steady, content to simply feel the quiet space around me.