Prologue

Opening my eyes was the hardest part, because I simply did not want to accept what had happened. I was in my perfect world of white upon white upon white, never knowing up or down, forwards or backwards, and accepting it as a gift of final peace. Then without a word of warning, or even anyone noticing, I came crashing down… here… I feel that it is time to assess my situation. Cold, lumpy, hard surface beneath my back. Something light and cool swishing across my face and, no - it couldn't be…wind? I haven't felt a cool summer's breeze in… years? Months? Or could it be only a few weeks? For all I know, centuries could have passed, and the Earth could have nearly died out. But I don't know that for sure, so I better start thinking more positively. Personally, I blame it on being back here in this human atmosphere. It's like I can almost feel the tension and the anger all around me, yet I'm sure I'm all alone… Time to open my eyes, I think.

Blue. Ever-changing shades of blue. White fluffs dancing across the blue. I can't take the intense beauty of the sky, so I turn my head to the side. In my peripheral vision, I can see the gritty ground, but looking straight ahead I see the feet of houses. Houses! I never thought I would see these again, so upright and architectural, yet homely and welcoming. Being inside one of those has got to be better than this harsh environment… How could I think such a thing? I can't even begin to believe that I would consider barging into someone else's well-kept homes. Have I learnt nothing from that place of peace? Worship and respect the wishes of others… i.e. Would you want someone to just force their way into your place of rest, when you've taken so long to get it just right? Short answer - NO! So just don't!

I must look a right state debating with myself, lying flat against the ground. Sit up. Stand up. Simple instructions my brain gives to my body, but even so, I still wobble a considerable amount. And I look around. With the knowledge of my surroundings, I know that I can answer the few important questions that I should ask myself. One, Where am I? Two, Why am I here? And three, What next?

Definitely the UK, Wales, and for some reason my mind immediately provided the name - Stokely, a small, rather unnoticed town. I had absolutely no idea why I was here, but I assured myself that I would find out - and so answer three is really a follow up on two - my plan: wander the streets hoping to figure all this nonsense out.