In Richard Bachman's "The Long Walk," the character Garraty reflects on the nature of memories, comparing them to a line drawn in the dirt. As time passes, this line becomes increasingly indistinct, symbolizing how memories fade and lose their clarity. The deeper one attempts to delve into the past, the more difficult it becomes to distinguish specific recollections.
Ultimately, Garraty suggests that memories may vanish entirely, leaving behind a blank space akin to smooth sand, which represents a void. This idea highlights the transient nature of memories and the inevitable loss of personal history as we move further away from it.