Part 21

Alternate ending two of two

A day and a half later, I was discharged from the hospital. I still couldn't fully explain my experiences...was it a near-death thing? Had it just been a dream? Or had I really taken control of my own brain and directed its repair? One thing was for certain, though. I had a new lease on life, given to me by the residents of City Name, whoever or whatever they were. And I was definitely going to get out and live.

: I'll drive.

: Like hell you will!

: That's ok, we're not going very far. The house is just up ahead, remember. I'm glad you are ok; when do you think you'll be able to get back to work?

: Back to work? Mom, what are you talking about?

: Well, this city isn't going to run itself.

: What are you talking about?

I looked around. Then I turned and looked at the hospital.

: Oh no.



: No!



: NOOOOOOOOOOO!

THE END

I actually gave serious consideration to using this in the "canon" ending, particularily after the initial negative reaction when people started guessing "coma." I'm glad I didn't now; I think the lack of closure on this one wouldn't have made people happy, especially since I had stated that this would be the end of this story. Remember the Goosebumps books most of us read as kids? Remember how those ended, and how pissed off you always were about it? Yeah, that's what I would have been going for here, and I don't know how well it would have been received.

Anyway, thanks again for reading. And hey, the thread just went gold! And tonight...driving the city into the ground, City Name style.