A Gentle First Step

The quiet air feels cool. For a long moment, I only listen. Then, slowly, my right hand loosens its stiffness. I test a small shift of weight, feeling the flat white surface solid beneath my shoes. Just behind me, another figure stands completely motionless in the shadows. I do not call out or startle him; instead, I take one cautious, tiny half-step forward, testing how my knees bend. The room stays silent and still. I rest my hands at my sides again, content to keep watching from this peaceful spot.