Brittle Bones and Old Rope — Alan M. Clark

World Fantasy Award-winner Alan M. Clark brings you “Brittle Bones and old Rope,” the story of a dead little boy's search for meaning. Dylan and his companions, seven other dead individuals, occupy a country cemetery. To leave the confines of the cemetery is to “pass on,” as they call it, but it is unclear what that means. An unaccountable pain that grows worse with time eventually forces everyone to pass on. Those who have, seem to disappear upon leaving the graveyard and may merely cease to exist. Dylan has been dead for a long time, longer than he lived. He resists the pain and is unwilling to go to whatever lies beyond death without first understanding the purpose of his existence. He cannot endure the thought that his life and death have meant nothing and is determined to perform some act that will give his existence worth before passing on.