A Gentle First Breath

The stillness around me softened, and for the first time, I felt warmth tingling all the way to my fingertips. My hands, resting quietly in front, moved just a tiny fraction of an inch on their own. Hesitating for a moment to take in the quiet room, I leaned forward slightly and let one gloved finger brush against the cool, glossy edge of the printed box standing behind me. The smooth cardboard felt distinctly real against my touch. A quiet sigh escaped my lips, relieved and full of curiosity about this newly awakened world.