My Library

"Then my body turned round. And turning, I became aware for the first time of a strange appendage. At the back of me was a coil of light, like a luminous garden hose resembling the strong broad ray of dusty light at the back of a dark cinema projecting on the screen in front. To my utter astonishment, that broad cable of light at the back of me illumined the face on the pillow, as if attached to the brow of the sleeper. The sleeper was myself not dead, but breathing peacefully, my mouth slightly open... and here was I outside it, watching it with a thrill of joy and fear.... Yet it wasn't my accustomed self, it was as if my mould was walking through a murky heavy space which, however, gave way easily before my emptiness. 'Now how will I get out?' I thought with more sadness than fear, as if I felt somebody had done me down, taken all the strength out of my wrist. The same moment I was pushed forward, the door passed through me, or I through the door, with an absence of resistance remarkable after wading through the heavy space.... I was interested to note that humour did not evaporate in my ghostly mode. I did not think of anything wildly funny, but my spirits were distinctly high....
"There was this uncanny tape of light between us, like the umbilical cord, by means of which the body on the bed was kept breathing while its mould wandered about the flat through space which seemed as dense as water. I seemed indeed to be not walking but wading through an unsteady sea.... And the ocean gave out its own dimly luminous submarine light.
"The only difference was a lack of weight and substance about this body of my continuation. Avidly I went from room to room, trying to collect what proof I could. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I passed into the bathroom. I looked at my own Double and I was dressed exactly as I had gone to bed. I was alone in the flat, which was in darkness except for the murky light which seemed to emanate from my own body.... I could not hold anything in my hand or displace the