Chapter 30 – The Oddventure Is Over

*NOTE – We're here at last, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a long, hard struggle for Alan, but he's finally got the means to save Abe! But will Oddworld be restored? Will Dave be resurrected? Will Alan return home? Read on and enjoy the final chapter. This has been 'Oddworld: Al's Oddysee'. THANK YOU!*

I knew it was going to happen. It had happened before. I'd met myself from the future. And know, I was going to meet myself from the past. I waited a moment, trying to remember everything I'd said to myself the last time. Then, I walked over to where me and Dave were standing.

"Alan," I said as I watched myself gather up what little possessions I had with me. I saw the past me glance around and see… me.

"Alan Grike?" I said again. I was clearly slightly bewildered by the unexpected arrival.

"Yes," I told myself, "I'm Alan Grike."

"Well, Alan…" I replied, reaching a hand out to shake my own, "Pleased to meet me." I looked puzzled by this last statement.

"Don't you mean 'Pleased to meet you'?" The past me asked.

"Not exactly," I told him, and what I said next would probably be the weirdest thing I'd ever heard. "I'm Alan Grike, too."

A few hours passed then. The past me had done everything I'd done his position. Everything. And Dave had done the same. Then, I'd guided the pair to Vykkers Labs 25, and said my goodbyes as before. And with that, it was all over. I was back in the TASM. It seemed like not a moment had passed. But I had bigger fish to fry now. I flicked some more levers and knobs on the TASM's console, and soon we landed once again.

I pushed open the TASM's door with great care. Stepping out into the grimy corridor, I noticed that the TASM was this time disguised as a door. Just a door. One that matched the design of all the others in the corridor, of course. Now, I was in Rupture Farms. I looked around, and quickly located a Mudokon. I went up to him and spoke.

"Stand up, Mudokon." I said. The Mudokon obeyed. "Show me your name tag." He obeyed, and handed me a tag which read '274-395-E:Shaun'. Damn. I found another Mudokon, and asked him the same. '291-682-L:Rick'. No. I continued my search.

'264-195-F:Derek'

'297-347-U:Michael'

'215-735-C:Leonard'

'244-368-K:John'

Mudokon after Mudokon I searched, but found no Abe. Then, I noticed a Mudokon stood upright, whilst the others waxed the floor. His skin was a slightly different shade than the others, more blue. I went over to him.

"Name?" I asked the Mudokon, although I already knew that it was Abe. He held up his nametag. It read: '273-994-R:Abraham'. Bingo.

"Abraham?" I inquired. "Abraham Lure?" Abe simply nodded back at me.

"Excellent." I said. "My name's-"

"Security Commander Alan Grike." Abe finished for me.

"Yes…" I replied, puzzled. "But, how-"

"Oh, come on Alan!" He chuckled, "I think I'd recognise the Slig that killed me!" It didn't make sense. How in Odd's name did Abe know that I'd killed him. One: It hadn't happened yet, and two: It hadn't happened yet! Did I mention that it hadn't happened yet?!

Abe clearly saw my frustration and confusion, placing a paw on my shoulder.

"It's a long story, Alan. But I can't explain now. There's no time." Abe said I heard the grinding of a door, followed by the mechanical whirring of Slig's legs. Guards were coming for Abe.

"I have to go now." The Mudokon said. "But before I do… I want to thank you, Alan."

"Thank me?" I asked. "How do you even know who I am?" But I could see that Abe wasn't going to answer that.

"Alan…" He said one last time, "Thank you." And with that, the Mudokon turned and fled. I turned around to see a group of Sligs stood right before me. They began to mutter amongst themselves. I think one of them asked if I'd seen Abe. Then, I fainted.

When I awoke, I looked down at myself, and was not too surprised to find that I was human once again. I was in my own living room. Back on Earth. But I could soak all that in later. I looked around frantically for something. Anything. I needed answers. I caught sight of the clock on my wall above the mantelpiece. And do you know what? Not a second had passed. I'd been gone for about a month on a distant, and for all I knew, non-existent planet, and not a second had passed in my house. Questions buzzed around in my head, about everything I'd recently been through. My head ached, I was thinking so deeply. Oddworld? Abe? Dave? Was it all a dream, or hallucination? It couldn't be, though. It had been so real. I yearned for answers that I knew I might never get.

Heading into the kitchen, I made myself a coffee. This would help me relax if nothing else would. As I sat in silence in my living room, I pondered. Somehow, I knew that I could find the answers if I looked hard enough. I yawned aloud and realised then. I could at last have a comfortable night's sleep in my own bed.

For now, answers would have to wait.

*NOTE – Well, it's over, folks. Alan's Oddworldian escapade has finally reached an end. And I know it's cruel of me, but I've left the story on a cliffhanger! Sort of. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, as well as the rest of the story. It's been so great to write it for all of you. Maybe one day I'll do a 'New-'n'-Tasty' style re-write of the story, polishing up some of the finer details. But for now, you'll just have to wait for 'Oddworld: Al's Exoddus'. Coming soon to a 'FanFiction' compatible device near you!

Thank you so much for all the support and encouragement I've had from my readers. I couldn't have done it without you. Please consider giving my other story a read, as well: 'The Man In The Shadows'. It's a Slender story that I'll be getting back into now, before I begin working on 'Oddworld: Al's Exoddus'. Sorry, I'm starting to babble now! See you all next time (hopefully). THANK YOU!*