Can you believe this guy?

Mike stared at the barren wasteland that spread out before him, and sighed. This is not how this was supposed to have gone. He was supposed to be standing shoulder to shoulder with Mel and Steph, neck deep in the standard demon spawn he'd seen every Saturday night at the Weekly Creature Double Feature back in the Village.

He moved to brush some dust off his shorts, when pain shot through his left shoulder. The person who said any landing you can walk away from is a good one clearly never fell through a portal that started out at ground level and ended twenty feet off the ground. Mike didn't have enough time to tuck and roll before he was thrown to the ground. Clearly gravity was stronger here. It was the only plausible solution, for how he could fall such a short distance and totally dislocate his shoulder.

Today was just not his day.
No fight.
No glory.
No amulet.
No Mel.

For one of the few times in his life Mike found himself alone, something that's not easily accomplished when you're one of four.
The heat was intense, and he knew he would have to find shade soon or risk dehydration. Besides, he'd rather not be out in the open when resetting his shoulder. He would have to change, find something to do with his weapons. They'd be no use to him here.

Choosing a direction, Mike begins to walk on what appears to be a well travelled road. He pays no mind to the many eyes he can feel boring into his flesh as he goes.
Truly there is no place as hellish as this.
A raven croaks out a greeting from high above a sign.

A sign which reads:

WELCOME TO NEW JERSEY