Author’s Notes
The true story of this ill fated couple is similar to At First Light in a few ways. The paired down version is: they were both married to other people and began a relationship with each other. After a number of years he disappeared in mysterious circumstances and no one ever discovered what happened. Many years later she also disappeared in similar but slightly different circumstances. These disappearances were in no way malicious or intentional. They were never found and no one had any answers.
It wasn't just the deep sadness of the story that struck me but the enigma as well. Two people whose paths cross but then they disappear, years apart. It's quite profound.
I wrote Hazel as a way to reflect those who are left behind. The turmoil of unanswered, bewildering questions yet at the same time life continues. Children grow, loved ones pass, time moves by unhindered by any changes in our own lives. We are changed, time is not. When someone disappears, goes missing, there is almost always an underlying hope. They will return. And if not return, then at least something that is an answer. A clue as to what became of them. Too often, this doesn't happen. Hazel, at least, will move forward. She will never have an answer but I imagine living in the jungle somehow brings her closer to her father, at least in her mind and perhaps spirit.
I decided to write Mel’s disappearance in a romantic, ethereal way to give the illusion of a happy ending. In reality, they would have found her bed empty. Her property intact, nothing missing or untoward. No footprints, no clues. A complete mystery.
As for Maya, she is a wise woman. Perhaps a descendant of the Omiscan race herself. Full of deep, spiritual, other worldly knowledge. She knows medicine, healing, rituals, profound thoughts too lofty for most. She 'sees' things through visions and dreams. I imagine her living well beyond ‘normal’ years, over 100.
And Dan and Mel? I don't have any answers. Your guesses are as good as mine. I don't know what happened to them.
The epilogue is a salute to the many mysterious stories of the jungles of the world. There are things that happen in true life that are almost beyond belief. And sometimes no matter how long or how hard you search for answers there just aren't any, at least not in this life.
Alright because I have been asked so many times...
this is my theory... In the Sims world at least, I think Dan got dressed to go get a cup of tea because as usual he couldn't sleep. As he crossed the grass he was abducted by aliens, which is why he disappeared without trace, wearing his shoes. But they didn't bring him back. They decided to keep him. Years later he convinced them to let him go get Mel, now she was living in Selvadorada. Hazel, he could see, had a fulfilling, happy life. He didn't want to disrupt or interfere with her healing. This fits doesn't it? I mean especially since the Omiscan race are most likely aliens anyway, right? 😉
Now moving on…
I want to thank you for reading my story. Thank you also to those who interacted with me on any level. You helped me keep going. This is the first story I've ever written and finished. As some of you know, I stopped writing fiction when I was ten years old. I picked it up again about 3 years ago. (Let’s just say there was quite a while in between 😉) So to complete a story...that in itself is amazing. Turns out it was the length of a short novel! Those who read it all, you stayed with the whole story for just over a year! I can't thank you enough for that and I apologise if you wish you could get that time back! 😬
I have such mixed feelings about the story but all in all, I'm glad of the experience. I learnt so much and now I know better what I can accomplish and what it takes to accomplish it.
I really pushed myself these last months creating a LOT of content and to get the story finished so now I am looking forward to a break 😴.
Once again thank you! I would love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you have, no matter what they are.
And lastly, ❤️ & ✌️ to you all, especially through these crazy days 🙃
