A Cool Stone Surface

The ground beneath me felt cold and smooth. I blinked, gazing up at the soft morning light. My fingers, curled stiffly for so long, twitched and pressed against the slick stone. Tiny patterns of gold and dark gray spread out beneath my palms. I let out a quiet coo, testing my voice in the still air. Carefully, I shifted my leg, feeling the cool chill beneath my heel, and settled into a gentle, watchful silence.