Prologue

 

The last time I checked my watch it was ten past two in the morning. The cold damp air swept me up like a veil and I was consumed by grey mist. Light spots were dancing before my eyes, and they kept growing clearer. Shadows were dancing slowly in front of me. I reached out a hand towards them, and just like last time, the shadows began to move faster. Twice I got the sense that something caressed my fingertips almost like a light breeze. It didn’t feel like a dream. I felt wide awake. For a moment I believed that I saw a hand in front of me and I reached for it. Then, I felt almost certain that something touched my fingers, but the sensation was gone just as quickly as it had appeared. What was this? Whatever it was, it was a wonderful sensation.