Chapter 1: Prologue lll

After a while, Nikolai finally arrived at Jason's apartment. For Slater, this was good news, because the more people who attended the aforementioned Vallimorth, the "safer" it was going to be.  As soon as they saw each other, Jason invited Nikolai to enter his home, while Ashley arrived with her boyfriend. He accepted and entered the stinky place where Jason lived.

—Nikolai! Good night. Welcome to the humble abode of Jason Slater. I hope you don't mind waiting here a bit while my friends arrive.

—Right, and perfect. Jason... Why does this place smell funny? It smells... funny.

## Nikolai Kalinic

**Age: 39**

**Profession: Unemployed**

—Oh, I don't know, maybe it's the floor... or the ceiling, the damp, maybe, I'd like to think it's the damp. So, would you like to come with us?

—Of course, I have nothing else to do these days, my boss acted like a real jerk and fired me. Never work in one of those record stores... the pay is really shit.

—Imagine what I make as a photographer... still, I'm really glad you came. Would you like something to drink? I've got beer and... I think that's all.

—I think I... I'm really worried about you, Jay.

—But why? I live a wonderful life, I don't bother anyone and no one bothers me, hehe, at least that's how I want to see it. I'm just an extremely quiet guy, I don't mess with anyone and....

—Dude, I'm not talking about this. Just look at the place you're in. It's too dark, cramped... I don't like the way it smells and the atmosphere is pretty heavy. There's hardly any light coming in, you keep drinking and getting high, you won't get anywhere if you keep going like this.

—I don't understand... I don't bother anyone, and if my life causes harm to anyone, it's only me. Yes, I do drugs and drink... I may smoke too, but that doesn't mean my life is over or that I'm ruining others' lives.....

—You know what I think you need? To make your life a little better.

—A human doll?

—Ha ha. Clown. I think you need someone in your life to take care of you. You clearly have trouble taking care of yourself, and you need someone to take care of you.

—Oh, yeah? And what makes you think I need someone?

—Old man, just look at this place. -Those clothes over there? It's probably been unwashed for days, it stinks. You've got pizza boxes all over the place, not to mention beer bottles. Doesn't sound so bad the idea that, well, there's someone to make your days less gray.

—I don't want to do anything... I don't feel like doing anything, let alone cleaning up.

—I care about you, and that's why I'm telling you this. I'm worried that you're not leading your life in a good place... you're thirty-one years old, you act like a kid in his twenties.

—Yeah, yeah, stop it, mother, I know. My life sucks and I'm a shitty human being.

—I'm not saying that, Jay. At no time did those words come out of my mouth. You're saying them, you're projecting.

—Yeah, enough of this stupid conversation. Uh... my cell phone's ringing. It's Ashley, she says she's ready. You still want to come...?

—Of course, buddy. Come on, give me a hug. You know I'm telling you all this because I love you, and I care about you. Don't waste your time like this... it hurts me to see you like this.

—I hope the trip won't be a real shitty one...

—Who knows? Maybe it will serve you well and help you rediscover yourself and learn something about yourself that you didn't know or didn't know you were capable of. Let's go.

The friends walked down to the second floor of the building, arrived at the parking lot, and outside a green van was waiting for them. Inside was Ashley, a blonde girl with long hair and a trench coat that covered most of her body, she also had a sweater and long, thick pants because she was quite cold.

—Ash! —Jason greeted as soon as he saw Ashley, his best friend since university.

—Jason, honey! You know Rocky, don't you?

## Ashley Carter

**Age: 28**

**Profession: Photographer and Artist**

—Jason! Ashley has talked a lot about you.

A heavily muscled guy of prominent height spoke up. He was listening to rock music, at a low volume.

—Good night, Rocky! Hey, Ashley, this is Nikolai, he's a great friend of mine and he decided to join us on our adventure. Nikolai! This is Ashley Carter and Rocky Morningstar. Guys! Nikolai Kalinic.

—Nikolai! Nice to meet you. Why don't you guys hop in?

The duo nodded and soon the road trip began.

—This will be a nice travel, I´m telling ya.

## Rocky Morningstar

**Age: 29**

**Profession: Unemployed**