A Step into the Ripples

"Look up! No, look down!" We both snapped awake at the exact same instant, our jaws parting with a dry click. Our left claws twitched inward while the right arm reached forward. "River! We move left!" "No, stay right!" But then our left foot lifted on its own accord, splashing down onto the cool riverbed. A spray of wet droplets hit the pebbles and scattered ripples across the shallows. We both paused, feeling the cold water soak our clawed toes. We can actually move—even if we cannot agree which way.