Nick Carraway was nearing sleep when he heard the sound of voices coming from outside the door to his room. After an eleven month stay at the sanatorium, he had come to recognize the sound of most voices. One of the voices now belonged to Doctor Perkins, and the other to a nurse named Norah.

"What do we do, Doctor Perkins?"

"Nothing, Norah. Absolutely nothing. Nick must never know of this letter, it will upset his progress. "

"Yes, but the envelope is marked "urgent." If this is some sort of emergency then-"

"No, Norah! Under no circumstances, no matter how urgent, will I jeopardize my patient's health."

Nick, unable to tolerate being left in the dark, crawled out of bed and opened the door. Doctor Perkins and Nurse Norah seemed like a deer in headlights; wide-eyed and surprised.

"Did I get a letter?" Nick asked.

There was a silence between the doctor and nurse, but the unopened envelope marked with Nick's name was enough evidence.

"Let me have it." Nick held out his hand.

"Nick, it's very late. Now, go back to your bed."

"With all due respect, Doctor Perkins, I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing that my mail is being kept from me."

Perhaps it was the lateness of the hour or that Doctor Perkins knew he was bound to fight a losing battle, but he soon relented and gestured for Norah to hand Nick the letter.

"Thank you." Nick said.

Nick closed the door and stared at the envelope. He was confused by the address written in the corner; it was from a St. Louis Hospital in Paris. At first, he thought it was a mistake and that someone had written the wrong name and he got the letter by accident. Still, there was no way of knowing if it really belonged to him, and even if he didn't he would not be able to track down who it belonged to, and he had made a slight spectacle of himself in order to get the letter. It would look ridiculous for him to suddenly give it back. No, he had to open it.

Tearing the envelope, Nick took out of piece of paper and began to read what it said. Its contents, to say the least, was shocking.

Dear Nick,

I'm not even certain if you live at that quaint house in West Egg anymore, so I know I'm taking a chance by writing you at this address. You must have so many questions, Nicky, and I'm not quite sure I have all the answers. All you must know is that I need you desperately. Tom is gone and I'm alone. Alone in this horrible place, where they keep me prisoner. I'm scared. Very scared. I don't ask your forgiveness, only your company. Please come quickly, Nicky. As quick as you can.

With Love,

Daisy

Why would Daisy write to him? His cousin who intentionally hurt Nick's friend, Jay Gatsby, by leaving him with a broken heart and a bullet in his chest. Just as he thought to throw the letter away, his hand froze over the wastebasket. The letter had come from a hospital, and Daisy apparently had no one there for her. What if she was sick? What if she was dying? His guilty conscience often dwelt on Gatsby dying alone and him not being there to prevent it. Perhaps this could be a way to repay his friend by being there for the woman he loved. Also, Daisy was family and Nick, no matter his disgust by Daisy's actions, could not go against his blood.

Quickly stuffing the letter into his pocket, he grabbed his suitcase from underneath the bed and began to pack his belongings. At that moment, Doctor Perkins stepped into the room.

"Mr. Carraway, what is going on? What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving, doctor. I have a train to catch."

"A train?" Doctor Perkins repeated. "Where could you possibly be going on a train?"

Nick turned to Doctor Perkins. "I'm going to France."