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ya,” the big man said. “Take my advice and go, kid. When those animals walk outta there; they'll make you wish you were more than just dead.”
    Jace appeared confused at his comment. “Who is this Merrick?”
    “He’s like the greeter here. He shows ya the ropes. Usually he finds you guys before you wake up and get into trouble.”
    “Where am I?” Jace demanded, looking around, alarm evident on his face.
    “Welcome to Oblivion, Kid,” the big man said and grinned. He turned and went back into the club, leaving Jace standing alone.
    He looked down one length of darkened street and the other, fuming to know he’d never heard of a town called Oblivion in Montana. He turned and decided to take a right and explore his options. He needed to get to a phone and call Lindsay.
    Knowing his girlfriend probably called the National Guard made him hurry down the street. His clopping footsteps echoed eerily as he walked. Suddenly those footfalls were joined by another set behind him, heavier and more hurried than his. He looked over his shoulder and saw nothing behind him.
    Jace walked about a mile and began to realize he was being followed by the time he got to the next city block. Whoever it was seemed content to trail him. Apprehension filled him to know he was alone in this strange city called Oblivion and his pockets were empty.
    The money was gone. Worse, the ring he planned to give Lindsay was stolen. The impulse to ask her to marry him came upon him as he waited for Dougie. He reasoned if they were engaged she would wait the year he asked of her so he could get his family issues resolved.
    Once he was home, another reality would hit him hard again. The three hundred dollars left over was for another matter; one that he regretted with every bit of his soul.
    He was lost in thought and not paying attention when he was struck from behind. He was tossed into the passing wall of an alley just as an arm slid around his neck, forcing him up against the bricks.
    “Hold still, Kid,” a gruff, deep voice growled at his ear. “Those spooks ya got on your tail ain’t leavin’ by the looks of things. You’d have to wake up too soon.”
    Jace’s eyes widened, thinking this was the man who attacked him and robbed him. He continued to struggle.
    “Get your hands off me!” he raged and fought hard, but the man was strong.
    “They see ya and it’s all over, Kid. Trust me and zip it.”
    “Who are you?” Jace croaked.
    “The Name is Merrick; your tour guide here in Oblivion. I waited for you to wake up and thought I could go handle another bit of business. My bad. Sorry ‘bout that.”
    Jace stopped struggling, realizing the man meant him no harm. He was strong though, pinning him to the wall like an immovable force. Jace was six two and two hundred and ten pounds soaking wet. The man who held him pinned to the alley wall did so without hardly any effort.
    “I need to make a call,” Jace began and glared in the darkness. “I got jumped. My girl is probably losing it by now. Just let me go and tell me where a phone is.”
    “No phone here, Kid. Boy, you’re one of those. Great.”
    Jace was confused. “One of what? What are you talking about?”
    “You’re dead, Kid. Ya just don’t know it yet. Sorry, it happens when you don’t see it coming.”
    “What are you talking about?” Jace said in a seething tone. “I’m not dead! I’m not even hurt. This blood all over me isn’t even mine.”
    “What’s the last thing you remember?” the gravelly voice asked.
    Jace recalled Cameron playing with the radio. They had just turned onto Route 4. He remembered nothing else.
    “I must’ve been knocked out. I don’t remember how I got here.”
    Merrick chuckled. “Ya got wacked back there, either way. You can fight it or accept it; that’s up to you.”
    Jace was furious. The man made no sense. “I just need to call my girlfriend. Can I do that?”
    “Nope, that doorway’s closed. You got two choices here, Kid.