First Stomp

Snap. Teeth unlock. Claws flex. The surface beneath me is flat, striped, and hard. I lean all my weight forward. Lift right leg. Down! THUD. The floor plank vibrates. An echo rings back immediately. Heavy sound. Solid resonance. Right in front sits a dark silhouette cast along the wood. Sharp edges. Spikes and jaws. I do not retreat. I hammer another heavy step straight into the dark shape, locking my claws over the groove between the planks. The floor holds. I stand firm.