Ready, Set...

My boots suddenly felt light, like they were humming with stored momentum. I didn't wait around to ponder it—I flexed my knees, leaned forward, and took a quick dash across the dark wood. Ahead lay a coiled black cord draped near an amber jar. Without breaking stride, I leaped right over the cord, planting my feet squarely on the glossy surface on the other side. My balance held, my joints felt springy, and that whole stretch of smooth wood suddenly looked like my personal runway. I'm definitely awake now, and there's plenty of track to cover.