Inspired Worlds is an independent publisher currently specialising in distributing the literary works of the award-winning author Alan G. Brown across varied platforms.

 

The Life Pool

 

Genre: Science Fiction (Symbiotic Worlds) Pages: 188 Written: 2002 Some mild language. Where do dreams end and reality start? Are they part of the same circle, or totally separate? Does reality end with death? Chad needs to find the answers quickly. He has seen the girl he loves only in dreams, and he is dying. Despite others' ridicule, he believes that if he is dreaming of her world at death, then he will remain with her. Life is never that simple. He dreams of two worlds alternately. One is harsh, and he always dies quickly without ever seeing the girl. The other is also harsh, but rebels fight for freedom and he only wakes when killed during their battles. Not only must he die on Earth while dreaming of the correct world, but he must survive to help the rebels gain freedom, and hopefully win Julia's love. One other obstacle, apart from his clumsiness and fear of fighting, is Ned. He is also dying, and the oppressive rulers have promised him eternal life and riches if he stops Chad from aiding the rebels by killing him on Earth. The Life Pool is an emotional roller-coaster of sadness, humour, hate, love, romance and adventure. Chad Powles stared at the doctor, trying to see beyond the amused smile and dead-looking dark eyes. Energy seemed to pour from the man although he leaned back comfortably in the black-leather executive chair. The illusion was temporary. He knew the man would launch his upper body over the desk at any moment to scribble more notes. Chad opened his mouth to answer the last question then closed it again. When he had tried to lie during a previous appointment, this highly-paid consultant had shown that he could turn his hand to psychiatry anytime. Dreams and reality. Sometimes, the difference between them seemed so blurred they became the same. Usually, the dreams seemed more real than reality. If this world was real, then he was already dead.    "Sorry, doc," he muttered. "What was the question again?"    The doctor's smile never wavered, as though having expected Chad to delay answering. "Are you still having the same dreams?"    Sighing, he had no choice but to answer. "Yes. Same places and both as real as I'm sitting here." He continued to stare, already knowing the response.    "The dream ends when you die." No question. Just a bland statement of fact.    Perhaps the dreams did stem from his daily life, but he had no intention of admitting that. His dreams were the only hope he had left for life.    "Some believe this life is a dream. All dreams end when you die." Usually, he thought, but I hope one particular dream will continue.    "It's the medication." The doctor suddenly crouched forwards and scribbled a note, ignoring the computer screen and keyboard next to him. "Same thing happened to another patient."    Medication or illness. That was the answer to everything these days. Chad had dreamed throughout his life. Suddenly, they were now a side effect. Another symptom to add to the rest.    "Perhaps dreams are natural and normal."    The doctor raised his head and beamed that sickening smile. "Of course they are, but they're not real." He leaned his elbows on the desk. "You die each night in these dreams, but then wake in the morning in the real world."    His neck felt hot and Chad silently cursed at leaving himself open for that reply. "Sleep in this world is a form of death, and I wake in my real dreams each night."    He saw the doctor glance at the scars on Chad's wrist, a reminder that the doctor could control his life again at anytime if he felt the necessity. They had discussed the dreams before and the doctor had smilingly told him to make notes each morning when he woke. That was his way of saying that Chad should continue to believe in his dreams. Chad hadn't written down one word yet, and probably never would. The doctor stopped scribbling again and Chad felt renewed energy flowing across the desk towards him. Soon, that energy would send the doctor flying from the room to search for his next victim.    "So, doc, what now?"    "The disease is still progressing. Without additional treatment, you will have to accept hospitalisation soon. You still have nobody at home to help?"    Chad shook his head, angrily dismissing that absurd idea. Then he realised the doctor's subtlety. Somehow, the man knew that he no longer lived with his sister and her family. That arrangement had lasted less than a day. Still, the promise of living with her had allowed him to escape the hospital.   Kindle Edition £0.99

New cover for Kindle Edition: Cover design and image manipulation by the author from a photogragh by Linda E. Brown   Original cover for printed versions: This is simply a standard 'stock' cover from lulu.com

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Author's Notes: I had a couple of recurring dreams, then a local teenager died from cancer. Soon afterwards, I noticed too many young people who showed the affects of treatment for cancer. This is not new. One girl I knew when younger (see Author's Notes for Grave Digging) looked bright and healthy but left to go to a hospice (one poem in Snax was written while thinking of her). We expect to outlive our children, barring accidents, but this is sadly not always the case. Many like to believe a better life awaits them. My dreams and this belief merged perfectly to produce The Life Pool. The concept of death is too gloomy, which is probably why his time on the other world is full of life and amusement. While editing this book for kindle format, and making minor improvements to make sentences more understandable, I became so engrossed with the characters and their story that the screen became blurry when I wasn't smiling or chuckling. Yes, I think this is a beautiful story, and, in places, I questioned whether I had written it!

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