Teenager Matt McLaughlin's friend Ryan talked him into a suicide pact. Ryan said they would face it together, as friends, but as Matt learns, death is not the end, though he has to face what comes after on his own.

Mark Painter has worked as an electrical engineer and has practiced law in the field of disability rights. He served in elected office for 17 years, culminating in a stint in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

After retiring from politics, he returned to his first love, writing fantasy and science fiction, and sometimes nonfiction. His short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies. He also produces and hosts The History of the Twentieth Century podcast.