''How the hell are you not grinning like a madman?'' Standing in the recent releases section of my local bookshop, my brain chastises me for not looking at the book in front of me with any sort of emotion. I can''t offer a worthwhile response.


    ''Mace Massacre Written By Matthew Ignus. That''s your name. On a book.''


    "It''s not like it''s my first book." I finally respond.


    ''I know that isn''t what''s bothering you.''


    "I don''t know, It sounds reasonable to me."


    ''Is it the cover? No, you said the movie poster looked cool, so that isn''t it...wait…''


    "..."


    ''Movie...is that what''s bothering you?''


    "No, I''m over that."


    ''No you''re not. Victor Nasu wrote an incredible movie. So, doing the novelization for it could only bring you good fortune.''


    "Yeah, I know."


    ''So show some fucking gratitude asshole. For Victor for putting up with you and Mark for recommending you. Maybe when you meet up with him in New York you could finally get around to sucking him-''Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    My thoughts are interrupted by someone grabbing a copy of Mace Massacre. The person looks quite short, holding onto some childhood features.


    ''So he looks like someone that couldn''t get into a R-Rated movie?'' The boy looks at the book and grins like a devious little runt.


    "This''ll do." The boy murmurs while piling a few books atop the one he''d grabbed before leaving the section, but his words still linger.


    "It''ll do, huh?" I whisper to myself.


    ''Oi, bud, we have a bit of a drive ahead of us and I''m not putting up with your mopey ass that whole time.'' I reach my hand into my pocket and pull out a loose ten dollar bill.


    "Fuck it." I say, reaching my hand out to a book I''d seen while scanning the shelf for ''mine''.


    ''Lilly''s Garden, huh? Sounds fun.''


    "I hope it is." I say, making my way toward the register.


    …


    Rain patters against the steel machine making its way down the road. Being my family''s loyal partner for over ten years, it''s no surprise this thing is starting to get problematic. Not that I have the money to replace it. I let out a powerful yawn, the current topic of thought doing nothing to cure my tiredness. I need to find a place to rest before I total this already near broken car.


    I turn my head to watch the world pass by beside me. And then I see it. Salvation. I turn into the parking lot of the building that has caused me such relief. I park and exit the car, grabbing the travel bag I had in my back seat. Once I''m sure I have everything, I turn to the hotel in front of me.


    ''The Wish Hotel? Wow, that''s stupid.''


    "Stop stating the obvious." I murmur, walking to the front door.


    …


    In the pitch black hallway of a place far beyond human reach, a man smiles.


    "It appears a war is about to begin. I hope you''re ready for that." The man receives no reply.