Introduction

The Story of a Conscious Human, told backwards.

        The day was neither stormy or dark. Cabot Truce was walking through one of the last stands of woods left in the Parish. He was looking for a Snipe. His sister, Tell, was with him.
      "There's no such thing as a Snipe," she said for the fifth time.
      "Tell, I'm looking for the idea of a Snipe. I told you this. You didn't have to come. So stop complaining."
       The morning started with Cab dressing in his usual shorts and favorite sandals, but he changed into good hiking shoes when he decided to hunt for a Snipe. At breakfast, his cousins, brothers, sisters, and parents all laughed at him.
       "Snipes don't exist, son," Dad had said. "A snipe is a classic example of a prank kids play on each other when they want to get rid of someone."
       "I know that," said Cab. "But the idea came from somewhere, and that's what I'm going to look for."
      Cousin Tara stared into her device. "There's no mention of any creature even close to the name snipe, but as a proper name it's been used in fiction several times..."
     "I know," snapped Cab. He'd expected ridicule, laughter, but not this annoying rational discussion. Tell, sitting opposite him at the table, offered to help.
     "I'll go with you," she said. "I've never hunted anything. Is it fun? Are you bringing a weapon?"