The Shadow Beyond by Daniel Reiner EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: Daniel Reiner
- Language: English
- Genre: Steampunk Science Fiction
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
FORWARD
I am not dead; nor am I fully alive. The intangibles of thought and memory
are nearly all I have in common with the man I once was. Half consumed, I
sit upon the floor, a biblical leper. I have neither mirror nor light, but I
imagine my appearance—formerly somewhat pleasing—must now be
repulsive. I would not want any living thing to gaze upon my ravaged
visage.
I am grateful that I still own my senses. Though there is precious little
stimulation here, I can still feel the unyielding stone of the floor upon which
I sit; hear the dripping water; smell the dankness of my tomb. On sight and
taste I cannot comment. The darkness is total; and it has been years since I
have eaten or drank.
The passage of time and my apparent existence outside of it are the
most remarkable aspects of my current condition. I cannot sense it as I once
did, but I have noticed that the dripping of the water stops for a while—
perhaps in winter—then resumes again some time later—in spring,
presumably. In this manner I have counted eight years. In all that time, I
have known no physical pain or discomfort—not thirst, hunger, heat nor
cold. From time to time I have felt the occasional insect or rodent crawl
over me, but they have shown no more interest in me than they might a rock
or a stick. I once feared spiders and rats. After all that has happened, those
reactions seem absurd and irrational now.
Since entombing myself here, I have spent much of my time dwelling
on the sins of my past. In this unique state, my memory has sharpened a
thousand-fold. The smallest detail remembered, the largest anguish relived.
All sounds, all smells, from even the remotest corners of my youth, are with
me still. The opportunity of living in the fantasy world of my past has
allowed the years to pass quickly. Several times I have gotten lost, caring
just enough to will myself back to the present.
No more. The procrastination has gone on long enough. I must not
allow myself to wallow. The story of how I came to be here must be set to
paper before the temptation to enter my memories and not return becomes
too great.
Before I continue, I must ask you please excuse my handwriting. I shall
try my best to keep my script uniform and neat, but as I have said, it is very
dark here—completely, in fact. The most insignificant bit of light would
only serve to worsen my peculiar plight and cause excruciating pain.
For More Read Download This Book
EPUB