In recent times, his voice was an unknown commodity to those around him. Only when the need was absolute did he voice his opinion. He was an island unto himself. Few men would choose the option of being stranded on an island -- away from humanity; away from life and its many pleasures -- but he would do it willingly.

Yes, there were times when he yearned for the human touch but they were few and far inbetween. He had changed. There were things that had caused him to change thus but he preferred not to think about them.

Now, he wondered where he would eventually end up. Would life greet him once again at the end of the tunnel?

Fear of the unknown is a potent force. But often it drives man to the extremes of his ability to do things. The fear of a deadline can drive one to perform to the best of his ability and it some cases it can break him.

He wished to discover; to explore; to step out into the unknown. He wondered whether he would have the courage to do so; to step out of his comfort circle and take on life once again.