A Solid Thump

My toes woke up first. Gripping hard! The floor felt cool and grooved. I leaned forward and gave my tail a sudden swing—*thwack* right against the giant black plastic wall behind me! A deep, hollow rumble shook all the way up through my belly. It worked! I stepped forward boldly, tapped my snout against the plastic ridge, and froze. Alive. Truly standing here on my own!