First Step on the Tiles

Everything was quiet until a tiny twitch in my right foot broke the freeze. I leaned forward, testing my weight, and took a real, solid step right across the gritty floor. A loose chunk of red brick sat in my path, so I nudged it with the toe of my shoe. It skittered a couple of inches, clicking against the stone. That sound meant I was actually moving on my own, ready to see where this dark hallway leads.