Weight on the Grate

The air felt cool against my temples. I stood rigid on a stretch of metal grating, looking across the vast structural beams overhead. Slowly, I flexed my right boot. The metal bars beneath me gave a dull, hollow resonance. I took a short, deliberate step forward, feeling my center of gravity shift cleanly under my own will. I reached out and gently gripped the narrow strap across my chest, testing the resistance in my fingers. Solid. Responsive. I lowered my hands to my sides, steadying my breath as I took in the lines of the walkway.