The World of Hek, Book One: Forever

 By Robert Ford

 This one goes out my family, who has forever supported my wishes and fantasies.

 PROLOGUE

     Julianna dipped her head to the left and looked past the crowds of partygoers to find the handsome face of the young man at the other side of the ballroom.  His pitch black eyes were like the night sky and as infinitely deep as the mysteries of the universe.  Her heart fluttered as she realized this clever thought.  The universe was full of mysteries as she had learned from her schooling.  One day, perhaps, those mysteries would all be revealed and she might even be around to hear of them on the radio.  But this young man, she imagined, was a mystery that could not wait.  He was too close to not be discovered and learned about.  Julianna smiled at the thought of a new discovery and sipped from her crystal wine glass.  It was quite illegal to consume alcohol at this point in history but she was in safe company.  Jonny Torrio owned the city and made it quite safe for his friends.  Her father, William, was a friend and business partner of Mr. Torrio and had been invited to the party.   William Hall practiced as a medical doctor in Chicago and dabbled in the stock market as well.  Occasionally William would assist Mr. Torrio in business decisions and would just as often visit the elder gentleman at his home for dinner.  Julianna and her mother, Lucille, would sometimes even accompany her father.  Mr. Torrio was almost like an uncle to her and she loved him as much.  Such was the love between this ‘uncle’ she felt no fear in partaking of his liquor.  There wasn’t a policeman in the city that wasn’t fond of Johnny Torrio, or so her father told her.  Julianna spun in her chair to face the bartender once more and asked for a refill.  He politely fulfilled her request and even gave her a fresh glass as well.  Julianna knew the man behind the counter was interested in her and she enjoyed playing the part of a tease.  She batted her eyes and asked the gentleman for another favor: a cigarette, to which he promptly had one lit and in her hand within seconds.  She smiled graciously and thanked him and just when it seemed he was about to ask her a question or tell a humorous story, Julianna spun around once more, trying again to find that handsome young man.