cause for either hope, or concern. In the distance, past the encroaching treeline and the large rocky outcroppings, was a thin spiral of black smoke. Smoke meant fire. Fire meant ... well, something. He stood staring for long moments, comforted only slightly by the sound of the waves rolling up the shore, and gulls in the distance.

He felt paralyzed by the surreal quality of the situation. It was hard to decide what to do without any memories to act as foundation stones, without experience to call on. It was hard to decide what he thought about the smoke other than that ... it was. He sighed and stared out to the sea for a moment. Fire ... whether or not it indicated something, it would certainly be useful to have. That alone was a good reason. 

The man started walking, keeping to the beach as he went. As he came over a small rise in the sand he saw what was making the wispy spiral of smoke, it was ...