The Rising: Selected Scenes From the End of the World (19 page)

“Other Worlds than These”

Confused? Don’t be. All will be explained in time. Consider this an introduction to my planned thirteen-volume Labyrinth series (as I write this, I’m halfway through the first draft of the first book). As you read the story, you probably caught references to not only
The Rising
, but to
The Conqueror Worms
and many of my short stories. Don’t panic. There is a reason for this.
The Labyrinth
connects everything I’ve ever written, but I’ve been purposely subtle about it in my other novels and short stories. Why?

Because, truthfully—it won’t be for everybody. Many of my readers will prefer to read the novels and stories as stand-alone works, the way I intended them to be. And I’m fine with that. You shouldn’t need to know what happened in
The Rising
to enjoy
Terminal
, or who the characters were in
City of the
Dead
to understand the stories in
Fear of Gravity
. But the hardcore fans; the fans who want a peek behind the curtains; the fans who love a vast, rich mythos; the fans who enjoyed epics like Marvel Comics’

Secret Wars
crossover series or Stephen King’s
Dark
Tower
; will probably enjoy that walk through the maze. Bob Lewis is one of those people, and I thought it appropriate to make his story, the final story in this book, the bridge between the two.

* * *

BRIAN KEENE is the best-selling author of many books, including
Ghoul
,
Terminal
,
The Conqueror Worms
,
Dead
Sea
,
The Rising
,
City of the Dead
, and many more. Several of his short stories have been adapted into graphic novels and several of his novels are slated for film and video game adaptations. The winner of two Bram Stoker awards, Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as
The New York Times
, the History Channel, CNN.com,
Fangoria
, and
Rue Morgue
. Keene lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Cassi, and his dog, Sam. He communicates with his readers online at: www.briankeene.com.

* * *