A Firm Nudge

Everything was still. Then... my tail gave a tiny twitch. I paused. The surface under me felt hard and cool. I tried moving my right claw forward. It moved. Slowly, with steady effort, I pushed myself upright. Directly in front rested a round, soft ladybug toy. I took a brief breath, leaned forward, and tapped its side with my claw tip. It stayed quiet and soft. I settled down right beside it, watching the calm shadows around us.