A/N: Hello dearest readers! I would first like to state that I own nothing but the writing of this prose here. Characters and plot all belong to Alice Sebold.

As the summary stated, this is a letter from Susie to Lindsey. I wrote this in Grade 12 (this is going to date me, but that means this was way back in 2011), so I apologise if it isn't exactly... literary gold. I wrote this as a project for my English class.

And another apology: I didn't exactly read the book cover-to-cover - I kind of skimmed through a good bit of it. I don't like being told what to read! Thus, if I mess up certain parts of the story, I'm sorry! It was a great book, but being forced to read it made it less enjoyable for me.


Dearest Lindsey,

Dear sister, it sucks that I have to tell you everything I wanted and wished through a letter. Tell Mom and Dad and Buckley that I'm watching over all of you up here in Heaven. Speaking of heaven, it's surprisingly nice. I have some nice company up here. There's Holly and there's Franny. Holly is the bomb! She's different, but she doesn't speak with an accent. She's pretty cool. You would've liked her. Franny really understands us. I don't think I would've been able to pass the time so easily up here if it wasn't for the two of them.

There is something really important though. First off, you have to do everything that I didn't get to do in life. I know, you're not me and you will never be me. But you and I both had the same aspirations. You could fulfill your life for the both of us! Secondly, you have to try and help Dad find out who killed me! I want to tell you, but there would be no point without any proof than the word from a dead person. I trust you Lindsey; I know you and Dad can find out who it is.

I wish I could be with you and pave your way into high school. Imagine: the two of us would've been the greatest pair of sisters at that school! No one would be able to touch us.

Could you tell Ray that I'm sorry for all the stuff that he had to go through? Ray didn't deserve any of that attention he got at school. He's such a sweet guy. Is it just because he's different that he got that kind of attention? No one likes to look closely at these kinds of situations, it seems like. Lindsey, just make sure Ray knows that he is one of the sweetest guys in the world and that he should prove everyone wrong.

Finally, I would like to just apologise to you, Mom, Dad, Bradley, and anyone else that I could've possibly hurt. I didn't mean for any of this. If I had just been smarter and trusted that feeling I had then none of this would've been a problem. I am so sorry Lindsey! I thought I was doing no one harm by taking the shortcut, but I never expected things like this would happen to me by people like him. I don't want any of you to stay on my death and have it take over your bright lives. Live life for me, please. Lindsey, you are so strong. You make me proud to be your sister. Please, give that strength to Mom and Dad, especially Mom. I don't think she is as strong as you or Dad. And Dad, I'm afraid he'll destroy himself.

Thank you for being strong, Lindsey. Tell Bradley not to worry and that I'll be fine where I am. Take care of Mom and Dad for me. And make the Salmon legacy at high school that I wished I could've helped you with.

Live life forever,
Susie


A/N (again): I hope you enjoyed my 18-year-old-me writings! Please leave some lovely or constructive words in the form of a review! Thanks for reading and bearing with my poor writing!