Peek-a-boo, It Found You!

Dear Melissa,

I hope you're doing well. I got your previous letter but unfortunately, I could not reply till now. In answer to your question... things happened Mel, awful yet glorious things. It chased me all the way from Hyderabad to Perth, even to Pennsylvania. I ran and ran and yet I couldn't escape this monstrosity that always knew where I was. No matter where I went it found me, I ran and ran until my breath seeped out of me. But after 5 months of this mad charade, I felt... exhausted. So I sought it out instead.

It was right there in the middle of the Park. You won't even be able to imagine the sort of terror that filled my veins when I saw it. It stood tall on its heels, a cloudy form in the mist, always morphing into the next nightmare. Astonishingly, it did not move towards me, it just... froze. My eyelids almost dropped as I struggled to look at it in its bloody eye. I did not run, I looked it firmly in the eye and this voice I didn't know I had, said, "I am not afraid of you. No matter how many times I have to look you in the eye and yell 'no', no matter how many times I cry, I will always claw my way back". And it just... stared at me.

Its mouth gaped wide open as a hand wrapped around my throat. I choked out a breath but didn't dare shut my eyes. And then it happened... it started disappearing right before my eyes. The mist folded on itself and the grotesque cloud gave a soundless moan before it disintegrated on itself. I collapsed on the ground.

Four days after that I woke up in a hospital room. (Don't worry I just passed out from exhaustion). Fast forward to today I'm back at home and I feel so... relieved, almost like some big truck-sized bag is off my head.

The key to chaining the demon of your fear is you, Mel! I hope you remember that when it comes to you (because it will one day, and no matter how fast you run, you won't be able to escape). When it does, you will strengthen that sword of courage that I know you possess and I'm quite sure you will do well.

Convey all my love to Sid and Aria. Oh and also, tell Tim he owes me a Barbecue dinner.

With love,

Yours

AK

(Ps: Gonna get sapphire blue highlights and you're good for my anxiety so... Let's meet asap)