@@@ instead, a torturous present is all that is offered and all that's been left for Robert.
&&& alone. feeling forgotten and bitter, Robert walks away from the gold and fire, across the snow and ash covered wheat field.
&&& possessed by an otherworldly sadness and immeasurable loneliness, Robert loses his humanity.
&&& in an event infinitely lonely in its probability, the universes washes Robert with fire, stripping him of his humanity. Granting him something superhuman.
&&& passenger with her parents Julia sees the transformation, the slow ropes of flame and the heavy clouds burning Robert's core.
&&& Julia senses something profound has happened, but keeps the revelation to herself. Julia's parents see nothing.
&&& Julia is driven away.
))) preface closes.