First there was a flash. There was no fear. There was only surprise and curiosity: the flaring glow painted everything around with unpleasantly rich colors. The white light, absorbing all living things, destroyed the world at great speed. I even thought I felt him slurping as he split my body. Then there was darkness. There was no time in it. There was nothing. It was just me and someone nearby. He touched me lightly, touched me carefully. He stroked his face or stroked his fingers, as if comparing his palm with mine. I didn't see his face. It was hidden in a lilac haze. I stroked him, trying to understand with my fingertips what he was like... I felt his smile on my skin. And he smiled back. The thought creeps into my head that we know each other. We know each other very well.