Well, in this short-not very good-novel, I tried to present the character
of Justin as a tormented one. In the movie, he appears only 15 minutes before
the end of the story. It's unfair! What a potentially great guy! So I hope
that all the Justin's fans will love this story even if I don 't write like
Racine or Victor Hugo.

I condensate it in a short period of time: Justin's fate
"bascule" (damn! I don 't know the English word !) in only one day.
It's because I didn't want to spend my time with details--just focusing about
the main character. Sorry!

This story doesn't speak very much about the stone (in fact, in the novel,
the stone theme is a dead end !), Mrs Brisby or the things who are ordinarily
associated with the secret of NIMH. I tried to make something different (even
if this novel is in fact a simple dramatic love-story, eugh!) Some NIMH fans
help me inconspicuously: The rat priest drawn by Ken Singshow inspired me Erik
and I'll lie if I say that the description of the stone's powers is a pure
invention of myself: Thanks to Steve Vanden-Eykel! (I hope you'll receive
the comic I send you soon , but there is a lot of miles between France and
Canada).

Editor's Note: "The rat priest" I believe is actually a picture
drawn by Bryon Morrisette; it is a character called 'Kanen' and used to be
located on Bryon's site. KB.

I'm sorry if you find that the descriptions in this novel are too short or
not realist, I admit that guys like Paul S. Gibbs are better writer than me. I
also hope that the transcription made by Charlie Duke's sister will be fine
and will respect the original style of my story, but I'm not worry about that
because I know she'll do a great job (Thanks again, Charlie man! I hope
you'll won't have to use gallon of coffee and illegal substance than I to make
this translation!)

Ooops! I forgot! Some characters in the novel call Justin "Jus'"
but I'm sure that you'd have already understand. By the way, I noticed that
metal band like Pantera or Obituary are very good for inspiration (even if it's hard to write while headbanging!).

I hope you won't find this story too ugly.

Vince Palacio.