First Impact

Cold floor beneath the treads. Stillness. Then... a heavy rattle deep inside. Tires twitch. Axles lock, then turn. Traction. Straight ahead stands a thick wooden post holding up a massive cloth wall. Obstacle. A brief pause. Line up straight. Then—surge forward. Rubber grips the smooth planks. Sudden burst. Dull thud. Front bumper hits the wooden block head-on. Solid. It doesn't yield, but neither do I. The shudder vibrates through my whole frame. I move.