A Firm Start
The morning air felt cool against my face. Beneath my chest, the flat cardboard box was slick and firm. I blinked, then pressed both front paws down. The surface gave slightly under my weight. My chin lifted. I gave the box a steady nudge forward with my nose, testing how solid it was. It shifted an inch across the polished wood with a faint scratch. Everything stayed still. I took a slow breath, settled my paws right on the golden edge, and kept my ground, watching the quiet room.