1 1. The End and the Beginning

Alan looked up from his computer and smiled. After a decade and a divorce over his obsession his work was finally complete. Twenty-five books covering the lifetime of a few people that he created from his imagination. He looked at the last paragraph and felt tears rolling down his cheeks. He was not sure where the tears were coming from but he knew that there was no stopping them. He sent the last one off to his best friend and probably the only person that had read or would ever read the books.

The first two he had paid to publish himself and he even sold a few copies but the dream of an agent or company wanting him never came to fruition only disappoint and the deepening of his obsession. Now that it was finished the obsession and countless hours seemed worth it even if he was never published. It was as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

Alan got up and headed for the high dollar bottle of vodka he kept for celebrations and poured himself a shot. Well it was half a glass but his excitement got the better of him and he downed it in one big gulp. He enjoyed the burn since it was a sign of accomplishment. He started to pour another one and then put the bottle down. He decided to head to his favorite restaurant, have a great meal and a few drinks that way.

The cool evening air was refreshing as he walked the few blocks to eat. It was way too close to bother driving and he planned on having a few drinks anyways. He could see the door when a light rain started to fall. He shrugged his shoulders and did not change his pace.

As the door closed behind him he saw that his usual seat at the bar was open with a wave to the hostess he headed straight for it. The young girl was used to him and gave him a smile and a wave. He was not like a lot of the older men that came in by themselves. He treated all the girls with respect and he had actually helped her out of a personal situation with sound advice.

Alan sat down and did not bother with the menu, he ate the same thing every time he came here. He had tried everything on the menu at least once and it was his favorite. The bartender walked by without stopping, as he was carrying on order to another customer, "usual Alan?"

"Yeah but I am drinking tonight."

"Okay then. I will have both of them out to you in a few minutes." The young man punched a few things on the sales system and then went to make his drink.

"Tim make it a double tonight."

"Okay then. Is it a good drink or a bad drink?" He had only seen him do it one other time in the last five years he worked here and that was when his divorce was final. Well he said worked here but he was a partial owner of the place.

"It is a good drink. I may have mentioned a few hundred times that I was working on some books and earlier today I finished up the entire series. All twenty-five of them are complete."

"Outstanding, and for that this drink will be on me tonight." He sat the large glass of spiked soda down in front of him.

The man one seat over could not help but hearing the conversation. "I am sorry to intrude but I know a thing or two about literature and how hard writing even one book can be and I wanted to offer you my congratulations as well. And your second drink will be on me."

"Thank you very much sir I really appreciate it."

"How did you manage to make one series of twenty-five books? Most authors can't keep that many straight."

"You are going to think I am crazy but I started with a world and spent almost two years creating everything about this world. All of the towns and regions, the money, and political systems were all out of my head. Only after that was done did I even start on a character."

"That is amazing. Creating your own world is a feat in and of itself." Under his breath the man whispered, "I should know."

Alan did not hear the words but now that the man had shown interest in his books he started talking and talking about it. He kept talking in between his bites of food and drinks. The man just nodded along and seemed to follow everything that Alan was saying like he already knew this world.

The two men were still sitting at the bar talking when Tim came over to them. "Gentlemen it is closing time. So could you settle up so we can get closed down for the evening."

"Sorry Tim. You know how I can get." He pulled out a card. "Go ahead and put everything on this one. I have wasted this man's entire evening rambling the least I can do is buy him a meal."

"I offered to buy you a drink and here you paid for my entire meal. And honestly I enjoyed your story more than I can put into words."

"Then next time we meet you can buy me dinner." Alan held out his hand and the man took it. With a nod of agreement the man headed for the door. Tim brought back the bill and Alan added a huge tip in celebration. "Have a great night Tim I will see you in a week or so."

Alan got up from the stool and even though he had a lot to drink it was not enough to really inhibit him since he was just walking. But he was feeling it enough that he was glad he chose not to drive. When he stepped outside it was still lightly raining but from the looks of the road and drains it had really poured while he was in there.

Alan started towards his house and noticed his new friend standing at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change. As he got closer Alan heard the roar of an engine and saw the truck coming around the corner start to hydroplane as he was cornering to fast. Even with the alcohol in his system his old training took over and he charged at the man. With a last ditch effort he dove forward and shoved the man out of the way. Then he felt a huge impact and the world around him started to spin and go dark.

Alan laid on the cold wet ground and felt the life leaving him but he did not mind. If it had happened before tonight he would have been more upset. He looked up and saw his new friend from the bar but something about him seemed different. He appeared to be glowing. Even though he knew he was dying he could hear the man as clear as day. "Sorry about the pain Alan but this is the only way."