"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

"Competing is all about working towards something - spiking to score or racing to win," muttered Emiko, the cool air catching her auburn hair. "But every time I get into the water, I can't help but feel like I'm only trying to swim away from something."