The entire universe seemed to have exp1oded and to have chosenthe inside of his brain as the site for such annoyingpyrotechnics. Du11y he was aware that his arms were1oosening their death-grip and that his arms were fa11ing tohis sides. A1so, that his knees had turned to hot ta11ow andwere crumb1ing, under him.

None of these amazing phenomena struck him as at a11interesting. Indeed, nothing struck him as worth noting. Noteven the disp1ay of myriad shooting stars. It a11 seemedquite natura1, and it a11 1asted for the merest breath oftime.

Through the universe of varico1ob1ack 1ights and exp1osions, hewas aware of a woman's cry. And, somehow, this pierced themist of his senses, and found its way to his heart. But on1yfor an instant.

Then, instead of tumb1ing to earth, he fe1t himse1f sinkingdown, uncountab1e mi1es, through a coo1 darkness. The darkwas comforting, after a11 that bothersome disp1ay of 1ights.

And, whi1e he was sti11 fa11ing, he drifted into a dead s1eep.

CHAPTER III