Having been a fan of some of the great writers of my time, I began my own misadventures as a writer when I was in high school. Unfortunately I quickly discovered how frustrating writing can be and went back to just enjoying the efforts of others.

When I discovered the world of fan fiction, through a show entitled Forever Knight, I again revisited the art that I had long ago attempted. Through working with others I found it to be fun and enjoyed using a universe already populated with characters and plot possibilities.

It was the writing styles of Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Jim Butcher which finally sparked the itch to attempt to pick up where I had left off with fan fiction writing. The question that I used to start this story, was simple: What would scare a Vampire other than that which was normally used against them? The result was, and is the following story which borrows from much and allows me to add what I wish and do anything with everything.

Someone recently asked me if Peter McNaughton was just a version of me in fictional form. The answer to that, I'm afraid, is no.

I write using something that Star Trek fans would be somewhat familiar with -- a Holodeck of sorts. It's basically a huge room controlled by a main computer and transport technologies that allows me to set scenes, place characters and watch what unfolds. Basically I try to approach a scene as I would find myself walking around the characters as they are posed, or moved and interact in the scene.

Peter was a character I initially created over twenty years ago when I first tried my hand at fiction, and he was simply a dime store detective at the time. After my experiences with the Forever Knight fiction fandom, I have simply put him where I had written myself in as a character. But he is not me. We are similar in many ways, but no, I am not him. The group mentioned here were actually people that are part of a group in the Forever Knight fandom. Names and other data have been changed where I felt it necessary and also where asked to do so.

It's a whole lot easier that way, when you may have to use characters in ways that their real persona's may not usually do things.

The original story, Rift-Riders will be redone in "Birth Of Darkness" using the characters described in this story, as I never actually finished the story until I wrote this one. It's will be easier now that I know where to end it.

Reality travel is a favorite theme of mine as I am a big fan of the show Sliders. Given the magical universe that Kelley has built, the group just seemed almost designed to fit into it.

In the end, I would not say this is a cross-over, but rather a cross-into, as the characters will become a group and entity of their own, and will move away from the Forever Knight universe from which they were created.

Although, Lucien LaCroix might just have to make an appearance or three somewhere just because I do happen to be a member of the Cousin Faction of Forever Knight, and well, he is our favorite character from the show...

Oh, and the story of the chocolate frogs and the origination of the Cousins Faction? It actually happened as I described, just not exactly as well orchestrated as I implied that it was.

Reader Warning

The following should be viewed as a work in progress and be considered as a first draft. What this means is that you are seeing it as it is being written. There will be changes made along the way that will be reflected back upon earlier chapters, sometimes long after they have been originally posted here. Please be patient as you read. Comments are always welcome and appreciated. Even the bad ones, but always the good.

Also, this story is intended for mature readers. If it were a movie, it undoubtedly would have warnings for language, sexual content, violence, and others that usually come along.

Please be aware that you are about to read a horror story. The genre of horror usually ranges in content from somewhat dark to very dark and will almost always manage to use your imagination against you. Personally, I am a big fan of how Hitchcock did that to his viewers and Steven King did that to me as I read his stories long ago.

Disclaimers

The characters and locations used, both in the story and as a basis for the alternate reality to which I refer to as the void are not all mine.

Characters from Kelley Armstrong's series are hers and are used with permission.
Bounty Hunter International and Da Kine Bail Bonds are real and owned by Duane "Dog" Chapman
Any quotes attributed to him were mentioned on his show "Dog The Bounty Hunter".
Lua is a real martial arts method founded in Hawaii.
Descriptions and information used were taken from a great article on USADojo's web site that was written by Betty Fullard-Leo "LUA:A Fighting Chance" as they would have been if someone were to study the art and learn about it via the web as the character in the story did.

No copyright infringement is implied or intended.
Real people and/or their alternate selves, where they appear, are used with permission.
Any resemblance to actual people or persons, either living, dead or undead is probably coincidence and may be unintended.

I hope you enjoy the following. If not, I won't be offended. All I ask is that you go find other writers, or genres and enjoy yourself while you read.

I'm just an amateur and am learning as I write.

Thank you,

Bob.

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