XXIII. Finally, alone at last. Just you and me. Those others, they don't matter. You're the only one that matters. Do you know why? Because you know me. You know me in ways those other people never will. They are just passing wallflowers, leaves in the wind, sand in the hourglass. Do you know any others? Let's see -- dust in the wind, surf breaking on the beach. The beach.

XXIV.