Prologue - It

On the first day, it was abandoned. Like a statue, it lay still, hidden deep inside a dark cavern.

On the second day, it was alone. And it still hadn’t moved an inch.

On the end of the first year, it was no longer alone. Wildlife had made their way into the cave and now called it home.

On the start of the second year, it watched over the fauna fight over to establish predator and prey.

On the third year, a group of snakes emerged victorious. They had a beautiful pattern on their bodies; it looked like there were seven eyes along their bodies.

On the fourth year, it remained alone. The snakes treated it with respect, giving it large berth. It still remained untouched.

On the twentieth year, snakes covered every inch of the cave. But they still gave it space, not daring to go any closer.

On the two hundredth year, it truly looked like a statue. Nothing had touched it in years, so dirt and dust covered its every surface.

On the eight hundredth year, it hadn’t changed. Centuries had passed, yet it still hadn’t moved once. There was no wind to blow off the dust. There was no rain to wash off the dirt. There was no sun to cast light on the moss growing on it.

On the nine hundredth year, it was alone. The cave was teeming with life and movement, yet it had remained still for nine hundred years.

On the nine hundredth and ninetieth year, it moved.

On the turn of the millennium, it was no longer alone.