Book 1 Chapter 1 Wanderlust

It all started with a road trip and a slight cough. For as long as I can remember, I have had an insatiable curiosity. I wanted to go everywhere, to see everything. It wasn't until the summer of 2013 that I finally got my wish, and then some. A few friends and I planned a massive cross-country road trip. We were young and not tied down yet. My 25th birthday party was to double as our going away party.

We planned our trip along major highways with a halfway point in LA. We would be on the road for 4 months. Just me and my 6 best friends crammed into a big smelly van. It was going to be perfect. We packed our bags and went out with a bang. It was one of those parties people talk about for years. After hazy, teary-eyed early morning goodbyes, we hit the road.

Dan drove first. He was a big-bearded metalhead, covered with tattoos and a wardrobe that consisted of a single color. (If you consider black a color.) Light skinned with dark brown hair. You wouldn't know his hair color if not for the beard as he kept the top of his head clean-shaven. He was the type to talk your ear off about his current girl if you didn't stop him, and loved to get on you're nerves if you let him. Not that he was a bad guy, but occasionally he didn't know when to stop.

Next to him in the passenger seat was Nick. Nick had a very up-front, straightforward personality. He was a bit of an electronics geek. He loved to fiddle around with the insides of stereos, amps, pedals, guitars; basically anything he could get his hands on. He was sort of the Yin to Dan's Yang. He mostly wore flannel shirts and jeans. He was constantly the target of Dan's jokes because of his goodhearted nature and literal way of thinking. The two of them were fiddling with the car stereo and debating on the best way to get to the highway.

I was in the last row of seats, looking out the window, thrilled to be finally embarking on my long awaited journey. I pulled out a book and read while the light lasted. Next to me, down at the other end of the long seat, was the other Nick. We nicknamed him Sick Nick to delineate between the two and becuse he always seemed to have some sort of cold or flu. Personality-wise I always felt most relatable to Sick Nick. We were the outliers, content to stay back from the main action. Often times, while everyone was involved in something, we would be in the background talking about something completely different. By the time the group's attention came back to us we could have practically created a new religion complete with a ridiculous back-story and traditions. Sick Nick was just getting over another little sickness when we left.

I drifted away from the sounds and conversations and fell deeper into my story. As the sun set and my light faded away, I put down the book and looked around. Most of the group was sleeping. We drove on through the night. I was one of the last to fall asleep. I spent most of the night wondering what kind of weird adventures we might have. I didn't think for a moment things would go as far as they did.

The End Is Very Fucking Nigh!

If you're reading this then you are now aware that you are part of the largest event in the past 13.82 billion years. By the end of the night all of us will be dead. Every man, woman, child, and creature on this planet and all others within 300 parsecs (978.490032 light years) of the Helix Nebula AKA The Eye Of God.

I can't stop it now.

But there is hope. I can save you from a terrible fate but I need your help. You have no reason to trust me. Just let me tell you my story and you can judge for yourself.

Before I begin, I want you to try to keep an open mind. The tale I am about to relate to you is quite extraordinary. I know you'll probably think I'm crazy. I wish with every fiber of my being that were true, but that would be denying the cruel unfortunate truth of the matter.

I can't linger here for long. They'll find me soon if I don't keep moving. I'll be updating this journal with what I can, when I can. For now, take reassurance in the fact that it will be painless at first. You're death will come without warning. No light. No sound. No pain.

That's when the real danger starts. I know it won't make sense just yet, but bear with me.

At your moment of death, you will not even know you have died. Everything will seem to go on as it always has. THIS IS A LIE.

Tonight is the night the world ends. Starting tomorrow all you experience will be a clever illusion. Even if you don't believe me, please read on if just for an interesting story. I have to go. You'll hear from me soon.