by Brian Keene
“Other Worlds than These”
Confused? Don’t be. All will be explained in time. Consider this an introduction to my planned thirteen-volume Labyrinth series (as I write this, I’m halfway through the first draft of the first book). As you read the story, you probably caught references to not only The Rising, but to The Conqueror Worms and many of my short stories. Don’t panic. There is a reason for this. The Labyrinth connects everything I’ve ever written, but I’ve been purposely subtle about it in my other novels and short stories. Why?
Because, truthfully—it won’t be for everybody. Many of my readers will prefer to read the novels and stories as stand-alone works, the way I intended them to be. And I’m fine with that. You shouldn’t need to know what happened in The Rising to enjoy Terminal, or who the characters were in City of the Dead to understand the stories in Fear of Gravity. But the hardcore fans; the fans who want a peek behind the curtains; the fans who love a vast, rich mythos; the fans who enjoyed epics like Marvel Comics’
Secret Wars crossover series or Stephen King’s Dark Tower; will probably enjoy that walk through the maze. Bob Lewis is one of those people, and I thought it appropriate to make his story, the final story in this book, the bridge between the two.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN KEENE is the best-selling author of many books, including Ghoul, Terminal, The Conqueror Worms, Dead Sea, The Rising, City of the Dead, and many more. Several of his short stories have been adapted into graphic novels and several of his novels are slated for film and video game adaptations. The winner of two Bram Stoker awards, Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, the History Channel, CNN.com, Fangoria, and Rue Morgue. Keene lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Cassi, and his dog, Sam. He communicates with his readers online at: www.briankeene.com.
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Table of Contents
ALSO BY BRIAN KEENE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
DON’S LAST MOSH
FAMILY REUNION
AS ABOVE (Sisters, Part One)
SO BELOW (Sisters, Part Two)
LAST CHANCE FOR LA CHANCE
WATCHING THE WORLD END
THE FALL OF ROME
WALKABOUT (Part One)
HELLHOUNDS ON MY TRAIL
SPOILERS
THE MAN COMES AROUND
THE SUMMONING
POCKET APOCALYPSE
THE VIKING PLAYS PATTY CAKE
IF YOU CAN SEE THE MOUNTAIN…
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH HIM
THE HIGH POINT
WHERE THE DOWN BOYS GO
WALKABOUT (Part Two)
1 CORINTHIANS 15:51
ALL FALL DOWN
THROUGH THE GLASS DARKLY
A MAN’S HOME IS HIS CASKET
ZOMBIE WORM
THE NIGHT THE DEAD DIED
THE MORNING AFTER
MARCH OF THE ELILUM
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
AMERICAN PIE
TWO SUNS IN THE SUNSET
OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE
THE END
AFTERWORD:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR