Den Neverwhere: Intervention

"I CHARGED!!!"

Den Neverwhere: Foul Intentions

"The beast's intentions became obvious as we entered the building complex.

I rushed to hide among the sculptures along the staircase between them. The predator hissed an expectant chuckle.

Frantically I searched for a weapon. The girl turned and saw the lizard but didn't seem frightened."

Den Neverwhere: Stalking Horse

"I followed the lizardman ... Who followed the girl ... Whose destination was apparently the architectural anomaly, but her purpose there was still a complete mystery."

Den Neverwhere: Hunter

"Surprised at my own reaction, I sat motionless, wondering about what has caused it and what to do next, when a shadow crossed me.

It was the lizardman I had seen earlier. Was it a coincidence that he travelled in the same direction? ... I rejected this thought. He seemed intent upon something ... the girl ... I was suddenly afraid, not for myself, but for her even though I didn't know her.

Despite my lack of a strategy, I resolved to prevent this beast from harming the Indianess."

Den Neverwhere: Awakening

"I studied the artifact as I passed. I conjectured that it housed machinery that drew water rocks or the depths of the earth (if this really was Earth). And was powered by solar rays or nuclear energy.

This was the only human I'd seen since I had awakened here. Perhaps I should've confronted her and tried communication. An ominous aura around her discouraged that plan. It was the SOUND! Why would a sane person travel in this hostile land wearing nothing but noisy ornaments which could attract carnivorous beasts. I circled ahead to watch her pass.

The images stirred phantasmic forces in my head and erotic ones in my body."

Den Neverwhere: More Visitors

"Another figure approached. The ornamental headdress and anklets exuded the sound that alerted me.

I concluded that it was an Indian girl, which gave me new thoughts about my location. She drank and left.

The girl travelled toward the edifice. It was my quest also, though I had no predetermined purpose there.

I ate ... Drank ... And followed her ... "

Den Neverwhere: Fear

"A creature, the likes of which I'd never seen before, was drinking from the pool. I was frozen with fear. Could it hear my pounding heart? Could it find me from my scent? Could it sense my presence by some unknown faculty?

Apparently quenched, the lizardman left and disappeared among the rocks. I was about to descend for a drink when...

... cha ching ... cha ching ... cha ching ... cha ching ... "

Den Neverwhere: Dreams

"After further refreshing myself, I thought to find a place to sleep. Apprehensive of predacious creatures that might habit the fountain, I left its immediate vicinity and found a protected spot nearby.

Near morning dreams came to me. There was a person, and the book of my former vision. The surroundings were strangely familiar.

The man's attention was wholly upon reading and was surprised by the discovery of the loose paper. Then the scene changed. The man manipulated miniature structures into an incomprehensible assembly. I woke with an overwhelming anxiety."

Den Neverwhere: Nourishment

"I walked. My bare footfalls in the sand created the only sound. A slight breeze was a small relief in the heat.

After several hours existence in this desolate land ... I was overtaken by a vacuous feeling ... HUNGER.

-- FOOD!!

There were instincts, reflexes and a good amount of muscular dexterity contained in this body in which I found myself. I was thankful but still confused.

As evening approached I came upon an enigmatic oasis with a fountain. I ponder the artisans identity. I was happy to drink the sweet water without pause. The abundant fruits were also delicious."

Den Neverwhere: Desolation

"Who was I? Where was I? ... The landscape was totally unknown to me, even my body was unfamiliar.

What forces brought me here? I searched my mind for memories ... There was something there, but it was too clouded ... A name ... D ... E ... N ... My name is DEN.

I scanned the horizon. A distant structure rose out of the mists. I decided to go there. Perhaps it held a clue to the mystery."

Den Neverwhere: Arrival

"It seems like I was floating in darkness for an extremely long time. Slowly jumbled clouds of electroneural impulses coalesced to form my mind and I became aware of myself as an entity. I drifted across nebulous unfocussed colors.

As I wandered through the maze I saw something. It was an image ... a memory, but it was so fuzzy and indistinct. It seemed as though I was looking at a book. What is a book?

Within the book was an unconnected page. It had something on it ... an incomprehensible labyrinth of lines. The images faded, swept away by a searing light. Other sensations accompanied the radiance, bombarding my emerging consciousness."