Dead Silence

The canvas under my boots went solid, then warm. I tightened my fingers; the joints answered without hesitation. Across the ring, a motionless figure in a white mask stood frozen in the corner. I did not rush. I lowered my center of gravity, stretched my right arm out, and pressed a single thumb against the taut ring rope beside me. It gave under my weight, then snapped back into place. Still awake. Still waiting.