We walked out of the bar once the stars came out. It was a decent little shack. I see Serena. She neighs happily ran to me and almost runs me over.

"Serena!!" I hug her head and kiss her forehead. "I missed you so much!"

Serena neighs sincerely. She was comfortable with me. I felt the same. Haper took a little note in her book and walked into the house. I did the same with Serena hanging on the outside looking in a large window. I sat down next to the window. Haper sat on a chair and began writing a few things. "You look disgusting. You gotta take a bath soon."

"It's been a long day. That I can say. Give me a few."

She nods and continues working. I walk over outside the washing pool. I got in the bath and relaxed. It was cold that night, but I didn't care. It felt amazing. I felt all the stress just fade away at the moment. I had time to just reflect. For now, All I can do right now is enjoy my vacation. I think for now I might work on the west coast. I'm way too tired to be going across the country. After a bit, I washed my clothes and hung them on the wire. I got on my underwear and walked in, sitting down. "So, what's new, Harper?"

"Ah, the usual. I was doing everything to figure out everything you did out there in that operation. I released a few issues. Those caught fire, let me tell you. Everyone wanted to see the cool guy with the cape and the special shotgun fight in a war. You got a following, that's for sure."

"Wow. I never thought that I'd lose the old name."

"You did. Everyone in town knows about Dopeman. They love the stories too. I think you can capitalize."

"How so?" I ask.

"I want you to write a book."

"You want me to write? like a whole novel?"

Harper taps my hand. "What? Don't you like reading, Dopeman?"

"I love reading. I read about rifles, history, and even fiction. Serena! What was that one book called?"

Serena neighs informatively.

"That! Yeah, that."

She looks at me, confused. "You can understand her?"

"Yes."

She stared me at for a bit. "You really need to write this book."

"Look, look. I need to just think about how to even start this. It's a lot of stories to tell."

"Just sleep on it, ok? You'll be fine. The thing about writing is that you can't force it out. You can't figure it out like that. It comes naturally. Once those first few words pop in your head, it'll be as natural as breathing."

"Hm..." I mumble and move to rest on the old couch. I needed to sleep it off. I said goodnight to my friend and went to bed, sleeping pretty well for once in all these months.

The next day, I opened my eyes and sighed happily. It's something I thought I never would feel this good ever again. I sat up and walked around the house. Haper was still asleep, so I didn't mess with her. I walked to the back to wear my sort of clean gear. I stretched a bit before walking out into the hot Nevada day. I headed over to a more populated water bar. A lot of people greeted me, told me how cool I looked, and I did my best to smile and wave, making sure all of the people felt the love. I sat on the stool and got free water. I was pretty happy. It was then that Fisher showed up. The people heard of him too and gave a warm greeting.

"Sup, Sam," I say as he sits with me.

"I'm right as rain. How's it going? Enjoying the vacation?"

"Oh yeah. I had some sleep, talked with my friend for a bit. She's a journalist and wants me to write a novel."

"A novel? What, about your life or something?"

"Yeah. I just never wrote like this before. Or at all, even. I wrote essays and whatever. Just never a novel. I don't even know how to start it."

"Why don't you start at the beginning?"

"What even is the beginning? Pre-war? Intro Wars?"

"No, no. Your beginning. Your start. How did this whole journey start?"

I think about it for a moment. "I guess you could say it started in Compton."

"How so?" Fisher asked.

"I mean, I was just there for a job. I took the train from here to Compton in order to complete a job. After blowing up a saloon I took the train back. It was there I met Harper."

He chuckled a bit. "Sounds like a Dopeman story. If that's the start of this madness, then you write your truth."

I finish my water and move to leave. "Thanks, Fisher. Plan on staying in town?"

"Of course. Might as well. I don't if I should continue the fight with them. I think I will just relax with you folk. Maybe take you out sometime?"

I laugh out. "Maybe. I'll see ya around."

I made my way over to the house again to see Harper yet again, typing a bit. "Welcome back, hero. Thought of something?"

I sit on the couch. "I think. I think I need a title most importantly."

"Ok, like that?"

I looked at my hands, looked at the floor. I looked at everything, everyone. Who am I?

Who am I?

That's easy.

"DOPEMAN," I say.

"Really? I like it. It's simple. I'll give you a notebook." Harper walks into her room and hands me the notebook and a pen. I grab the pen and click it a few times. My handwriting is awful, but here we are.

If I'm starting in Compton, where should I start?

On the train? The hike to town? No, the barn!

I know exactly how to start.

The day was hot. The sun beamed down on me, it felt like Satan himself was in bed with me...