The Alternate Plan

"The Alternate Plan" by Gerry Maddren is a science fiction tale of identity and existence centered around Bart Neely, a man with cancer of the larynx facing life-altering surgery. As Bart prepares for the operation that could rob him of his voice, he insists on remaining conscious, desperate to hold onto what makes him uniquely himself. During the surgery, he mentally detaches, envisioning an escape from his physical body, leading him to a strange in-between place. In this limbo, Bart confronts a mysterious entity, challenging his understanding of communication and forcing him to reconsider what it truly means to connect with others, all while fighting to find his way back into his body and back to life.