The Long Sleep

Expanded from the story "Grayworld" which appeared in the short story collection Infinity Five. He woke — and discovered that somehow, somewhere, his mind had been ravished, his memory erased, and his only clue to his identity was his name: Joel. But he was not alone. Around him the omnipresent computers typed out messages he could not decipher. Embracing him was a beautiful woman. Reassuring him was a kindly, white-haired man who told him one lie after another. And pursuing him was a figure without a face who called himself the Sandman. Was Joel the only sane human in a world gone mad? Or was he a hopeless maniac living out hid fearful fantasies? Joel's long sleep was over — and his nightmare had just begun. NOTE: John Hill is actually a pen name for Dean Koontz.