Perimeter Check

Stiffness faded from my joints. I tilted my head downward to inspect the ground beneath my boots. The surface was rough particle board, littered with inert figures behind me. I took one deliberate step forward. My boots gripped the texture firmly. Beside my right foot lay a tan plastic limb from the pile. I extended my arm and tapped the molded plastic knee with two fingers. It remained unmoving. I retracted my hand, verified my balance, and held my forward stance.