First Step Forward

My joints clicked. I leaned forward against the soft fabric. Ahead, the big blue robotic figure held up a red beam, perfectly still. Near my knees lay a soft, segmented caterpillar plush with purple fins. I swung one square leg forward, then tapped the purple fin. It yielded gently. The bed stretched wide, cool and quiet. I rested my hand against the soft fabric and stood grounded.