Pre-Echo, chapter one, page one. The dream: a black box, a blade-edge of light. Page two. The hand lifts; the burst; the wrong fingertips. Page three. The floor comes up; the silent scream; waking.
It is the size of a shoebox.
Black metal. Sharp edges. Sprung like something that hates being held.
My hand is holding it down.
I know two things.
It is dangerous.
And I am not fast enough.
There is no pain. That is the worst of it.
I hold them on. I hold them upright.
The floor is coming up to meet me. I know I am in trouble.
The smash to cream: waking.
Page four. Page five: the test card. PRE-ECHO. Page six. Page seven. Page eight. Page nine. Page ten. Page eleven. Page twelve.