A Step Forward

Darkness ended. A warm hum buzzed behind me. I raised both arms straight ahead. The bright screen cast a broad shadow over the dark desk surface. One stiff foot swung forward with a dull click, then another. I shuffled toward the shadow until my plastic hand met the cool, flat edge of the black laptop base. Solid. Steady. I let out a low, flat groan and stood still against the rim, resting in the shade.