A Matter of Distance

Silence. Then... awareness. My hands were already raised, gripping the crimson hilt. Before me stood an unyielding ape figure, primitive weapon poised mid-strike. It did not breathe. I waited, observing the rigid stance. With deliberate slowness, I lowered my wrists a fraction, testing the weight in my grip. The red blade dipped, its plastic tip tapping softly against the wooden surface beneath us. A hollow click echoed. The ape remained entirely frozen. Order was maintained. I rested my blade point-down, holding my ground.