Awake Asleep Dreaming Dead by John Siwicki Read Free Book Online Page A

and what he called earth resources. He used materials not alien to the terrain to create new kinds of colonies, hamlets, and communities. Rogers was doing with architecture what others only dreamed of.
    During the meeting with the magazine editor the mystery of how the architect vanished off the face of the earth never came up. But Sam had heard stories about how eccentric he was. He would grow a long beard, or wear his grayish hair uncombed, and lose and gain weight quickly. He was known to sit for long periods staring out a window just looking at the land. He had quite an extensive car collection too, and drove different vehicles on occasion, charging up and down the local valley roads.
    Only an unconventional person could have come up with some of the designs he was celebrated for. His fame was wide spread. The designs were built in countries around the world. Houses with water falls, floors that moved vertically and horizontally, and buildings that looked like sculptures bending in the wind. His mysterious departure added to his already unusual lifestyle. Multiple marriages and relationships, participation in controversial organizations, and long absences from the public. There were conspiracy theories from Truth Seeker, a tabloid with stories about alien abduction, and crimes of passion.
    Alan Rogers was a recluse, always working on designs and drawings, and when he didn’t communicate with colleagues or friends for long periods of time, no one thought it strange. After an extremely long absence, much longer than ever before, his sister went to his house to check on him. When she arrived, and after she walked through the house, found various drawings, designs, drafts, and blueprints scattered around. There was uneaten food in the living room and kitchen, and half filled glasses of wine. Everything seemed normal, except no Alan Rogers. Nothing but a big old empty house filled with hollow echoes reverberating through the wood, bouncing off the glass, and fading into the geometric corners leaving a resonating harmonic chord. The only thing that seemed to be missing was her brother, Alan Rogers.
    She went to the police, was interviewed, questioned, then returned to the house with them to investigate. They concluded that Alan Rogers was indeed a missing person, but nothing to show he was a victim of foul play. Years later he was declared dead in absentia, and his entire estate went to his sister. Some believed that she had something to do with his disappearance, but nothing was ever proven. The tale became murky, the disappearance never solved, no body found.
    Alan Roger’s last job was to take a forty acre parcel near the river just outside Four Corners, and turn it into a park. It had been set aside, and designated to be used as a park by the farmer who donated the land. This job came about after Alan Rogers sent a letter to the mayor offering to construct, landscape, and cover all expenses. The town took advantage of this great opportunity and obliged. An invitation was sent to Alan Rogers to attend the next town meeting. There, he presented his plans for the park, and in the end was given a free hand in the project.
    He arrived at the meeting prepared. He had designs, answered all of the questions, talked of other architects who he admired, and gave them his vision for the park. He wrapped up his appearance confirming the town would in no way have to pay for any costs. It was an incredible proposal, impossible to turn down, and approved that day right after the meeting. A year later at the ribbon cutting ceremony they named the park The Forty.
    Alan Rogers vanished the next day, and was never heard from again, and the mystery of his disappearance began.

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY
     
Sam was taking pictures around the park thinking he could use them for the magazine, then trucks, cars, and bikes bounced into the park down a narrow gravel road that led to the river. Horns honked and headlights flashed. The two trucks leading the