A Soft First Step

The room was quiet under the gentle light. I blinked, realizing my limbs felt light, no longer still. I carefully pressed my front foot down into the gray surface beneath me. It swished softly and sank under my weight. Next to me sat another friend, perched on the folded cloth, watching quietly. I reached out a slow, steady paw and tapped the sleek metal pull of the sleeping bag's zipper. A quiet click echoed in the stillness. I can move, I thought softly, resting my paw flat against the cool fabric.