Alan Wake

Episode 2.3: The Plan

The sun was blocked by the mountain now, its rays of light shining behind it. I told Barry everything, filling him in the mess I was because I knew I had to tell talk to someone. At first, he thought I was certifiable but when he heard about the manuscript, I had him. The fact that I'd written something, even if I couldn't remember it, was enough for him. He smelled money. And he believed that Alice had been kidnapped. Anything beyond that was another story. I had a midnight appointment with the kidnapper in a place called Lovers' peak, which is in Elderwood National Park. The plan was to rent a cabin. He stopped and instantly he expressed his views.

"I don't like it, Al," he commented. "I don't like any of it. It's not good. In fact, it's the absolute opposite of good," he got out of the car and the next moment, I groaned. Rose was there, another overeager fan that I have dreaded.

"Mr Wake!" she greeted enthusiastically, waving at me before she turned to Barry. "Barry, you found him!"

"Hi, Rose," he greeted. Still, I tried to show my patient side, walking towards her.

"Oh, wow, I was just thinking about you too!" she continued. "I was just bringing Rusty some coffee. He's on the balcony, looking after Max, poor thing!"

"Great," I muttered under my breath in dread. However, I had to heave a sigh of relief as she looked at her watch.

"I really have to go! Great seeing you again, Mr Wake! Later!" she spoke and walked out of my sight. The moment she went out of view, Barry asked me a question.

"Who's Max?" he asked as we walked towards the center. I remained silent as I did not know how to reply him. I had no idea who is Max. I muttered something which Barry have overheard.

"What an airhead," I commented as I pushed the door open.

"Geez, Mr Takes A Swing At Everybody!" he exclaimed. "This is not her fault. She's a very nice girl and more importantly, a fan. She even has a fansite dedicated to you," he contineud to defend her. "She was very helpful when I was looking for you," Soon he directed the topic back to the story I told him moments ago. "Seriously, Al, what you were saying in the car, just .isten to yourself," 

"Wait here," I instructed him as I walked out to the balcony. Rusty was standing up, treating a golden retriever as I walked towards him. By his looks, he was easily about his 30s and his jacket showed that he was a park ranger.

"Easy there, boy. I'm almost done," he told the dog as if it understand human language. I called out to him.

"Hey, Rusty, right? You rent cabins?" I asked him.

"Mr Wake!" he greeted me. "I'd shake your hand, but mine are kinda full. Actually, I'm sorry about this, would you mind grabbing the registration form from the desk? It's just across the buck-toothed Charlie,"

"Okay, sure," I agreed and jogged to get the form.

As soon as I entered the room again, Barry continued as he spoke again, continuing from where we left off.

"Seriously, just listen to yourself," he questioned skeptically. "What, you shot a guy? And his body just disappeared? When was the last time you slept? Are you high? Have you been drinking?"

"No!" I snapped as I signed the form that was lying on the counter. "Look, Barry, I'm missing a week and someone's got Alice and everything's just --"

"Do you understand what it sounds like when you say stuff like that?" he interrupted me. "Don't get it wrong, it's a good story and it could be a best seller. But when you start confusing fiction with reality, you're buying yourself a ticket to the funny-farm," I opened the door, exposing myself to the sunlight again and leaving the topic to hang in mid-air once more like how I pause a video.