A Composed Awakening

The quiet dawn crept across the room. Slowly, with deliberate care, I drew in what felt like my very first breath. My limbs, once stiff, answered my call. Leaning forward from the upright white pillow supporting my back, I lowered one paw and pressed it firmly against the sheet beneath me. The cool cotton gave beneath my touch, right over the sketched outline of a little drawn creature. I paused, letting the calm settle over me. The stage was silent, and I was entirely awake.