of an infinitely deep ocean, where I could feel neither pain, nor loneliness. Somehow, those emotions seemed impossible to me.

The world had been reduced to order and energy; I saw that those were the building blocks of the universe I knew – what everything had reduced to – the simplest equation of all. I realized that I could still think, though I didn’t know how that was possible. I realized that I could still feel, though I hadn’t been the one to give myself the ability.

I could still feel joy, the joy that only comes from hearing the message broadcast through eternity: “Do not be afraid.”

My instincts and memories slowly returned to me. I realized that I didn’t feel dead; though I didn’t know what being alive