Chapter Thirty-Four

Anna's Letters

Dear little Sis,

It looks like this next letter may make it to you after all. I had my doubts. But there are good people here, who help many of us communicate with the outside world, and I've been fortunate enough to know some of them. I want you to know that I'm okay. That no matter where you are in the world, my letters will always find you. I miss you, but the most important thing is that you're safe. Please take care to get rid of these letters, so that the Desians may never find them. I couldn't stand to see you here with me.

I want to write so much more but my time is short. Always remember I love you.

Big Sis

My little one,

It's been a month now. I'm still here, causing trouble. Although never as much trouble as you've caused me, thank goodness. I've lost a little weight, but I don't mind. They made me cut my hair, though, which I hated. I know you always loved my hair. I wanted to keep it long for you.

I've made a few friends here, so don't worry. I'm not alone. I hope you're not either. I've been told of where you moved to, and I couldn't have picked someplace better. Stay there and be safe.

You need to live your own life, okay? As much as I want to be with you, I don't know if I can. At least, not yet. So keep living out there, for both of us.

Love always and forever,

Sissy

Dear little Sis,

There is much suffering here. I won't pretend there isn't. For whatever reason, I seem to be one of the strongest here, the most resistant to their experiments. I have found a purpose in protecting the others. They don't realize it, really. There are so many lost people here, so many people who have been hurt.

You must remember, above all else, my little one - kindness is strength, and our greatest deeds will go unnoticed.

I have no more time. I love you.

Sissy

Dear little Sis,

I'm sorry if my writing is hard to read. It hurts a lot today. They've taken me, done new things. I don't have the strength to say much.

But I'll be okay, I promise. I won't let them break me. No matter what.

I love you.

Sissy

My little one,

Something strange has started to happen. Strange and good, though - at least, I hope. One of the guards here has started to talk to me. It's been almost two months, and he's the only one. I know he's not supposed to, either - he always does it in secret, so none of the others can see. He seems kind, and different from the others. I like him. I hope he doesn't leave.

I miss you so much. I wish I could hear your voice or get letters from you, too. But don't worry, I'll never stop writing you. Not while I have strength left.

Sissy

My wonderful little Sis,

It happened again. That kind guard I spoke of last week has talked to me twice since then. He doesn't wear their armor. He looks different, more human. His voice is always soft and gentle. And I, well - to be honest, he's pretty cute, too.

I'm getting my hopes up. Although I hope I'm not. Haha, I don't know anymore… I can just tell you I'm happier than I've been in a long time.

Pray with me, Sissy. I'm asking the Goddess every day for her favor, and I want you to ask Her too. I'm so hopeful that this will end with some bit of light, throughout all of this darkness.

Love you, always and forever.

Big Sis

My little one-

I was right. I was right! Do you remember what I told you in my last letter? How that kind guard had been speaking to me? Well, it turns out he's more than just kind. He's thoughtful, and he listens to me, always. We talk so much, Sissy. He's wonderful, and the way he looks at me - it's like nothing I've ever seen. He wants to help me! He wants to get me out of here. Away from the Desians forever, from their tests and their cells.

It will take a little bit of time. We need to plan this together. He'll be turning against all he's ever known, but he's willing to do it for me. Despite the bad things he's done, that alone is worth everything.

It's so risky that I'm telling you this, but I don't care. He is my hope. He is my Hero. And I have every confidence that he will do as he promises.

Sleep well tonight, little one. Know that I'm dreaming of him, and my chance at freedom. You know more than anyone that he's more than I've had in a long while.

I love you so much. Always and forever.

Sissy

My perfect little sister-

It's happening. A few days from now, I'm leaving this place with my Hero. Can you believe it? He is so kind and gentle, so understanding. A bit awkward at times, but that doesn't matter. We have grown close, and all that you need to know is that he's going to save me.

If all goes as planned, my next letter will be written from outside of these dark walls. Away from these needles, these experiments, this pain.

I guess I could hate him for being with them. He always acts so surprised, that I'm okay with who he is, with what he's done.

Listen to me, little one: kindness is the greatest gift we could ever share.

He will take care of me. He will protect me. Don't worry.

Big Sis

Little Sis-

I've made it out. I'm okay. Time is short, and I'm running. But I'm with my Hero. I took their project with me, too, their exsphere, so no one else can use it for anything bad. It's stressful, and it's a little hard, but it's okay. I've made it out with him, and we're going to start over, to live again.

I promise I'll say more later. Trust in me. Trust in him.

I love you.

Sissy

My little one,

I've felt the ocean again. Heard its waves crashing against the sand, like it had in Izoold, when you were born. I've seen the stars! It's been so long. My Hero knows so much about the stars. He's brought me here - it's hard, and it's a little scary. I know that they'll always be after us. He knows too. But it's okay, because we have each other, and I'm so happy.

Please be happy with me, little Sis. Please share in this peace I've found, although I can't join you. I hope somewhere, on a clear night, you're watching the stars too.

Love always and forever,

Sissy

Dearest little Sis,

We've made it to a safe spot for now. My Hero has taken the utmost care to assure we're not recognized or disturbed. His kindness always overwhelms me. I don't know how I got so lucky to meet him. He's so strong and compassionate, so focused on assuring our safety, though he's gone against all he's ever known just to save me.

Forgive me for babbling about him, but I just can't help it. Rest easy tonight, little one, knowing I'll be safely in his arms.

I love you more than you'll ever know.

Sissy

Little Sis,

I know I say this every time I write to you, but I swear, today really was the happiest day of my life.

My Hero asked to marry me today. I said yes, of course!

He's not one to mince words, but the love and sincerity in his vows brought me to tears. Even though our life's hard, the fact that I'm free and I'm with him makes all of this worth it.

I'm getting MARRIED, Sissy! I just wish you were here so we could celebrate.

I'll never stop missing you.

Big Sis

My little one,

I got married today.

I still can't believe I'm saying that, wow. I know we always talked about how I'd have a big fancy wedding with delicious food, and how you and everyone I ever knew would be there, but it was just me and my Hero and our priest. And I couldn't have asked for more. It was perfect. I even got to wear a brand new dress. It's been so long since I've worn new clothes.

We're moving again tomorrow. He thinks we've stayed in one spot too long. I'm not sure where we'll go, but I know we'll make it work.

Always and forever,

Your Married Sissy

My little Sis,

You're very special today. I mean, well, you're ALWAYS special to me, but you get to know a secret no one else knows yet. Not even my Hero.

I'm pregnant!

(I literally was squealing as I wrote that. I hope all of the exclamation points got that across.)

I just found out a few hours ago, and I knew you were the first person I had to tell. Oh, I can't wait to see his face when I tell him. I wouldn't be surprised if he passes out from shock, haha! Although I hope he doesn't, he's much too big for me to carry by myself. I guess I could ask our pet to help us…

Wow, I'm rambling again aren't I? Sorry!

You're going to be an auntie, my little one. You won't be my littlest one anymore, then, will you?

I didn't know I could ever be this happy. I'm a little scared, too, but I know everything will be okay.

Big Sis

Dear Sis,

There's a lot of things I wish you could have seen with me since I was taken from you. The world is a beautiful place. But nothing has been better that seeing his face when I told him our secret. It made me laugh just as much as it made me cry.

I'm almost five weeks along, now. Time seems to be flying by, even though I want it to stop, so I can remember every bit of this!

We're moving again, so I don't have much time to say more. Until next week, my not-so-little-one.

Always and forever,

Sissy

My little Sis,

Well, the women teachers I used to work with back home weren't lying when they talked about morning sickness... For the past three days it's been pretty ridiculous. It turns out that I throw up even louder than you did when you had that stomach flu.

I've been told this is happening because I'm having a boy, and it's something about the opposing hormones that's making me sick, but that's just an old wives' tale, I think.

I really don't care if it's a boy or a girl. I just want it to be healthy and happy.

Only 30 more weeks to go until I get to meet him/her. Let's hope my stomach can hold out for that long.

Love and miss you.

Big Sis

My little one,

My other little one is growing fast. My Hero took me to see an actual doctor today for a checkup - I personally didn't think it was necessary since I haven't had any problems, but he absolutely insisted. He's frustrating sometimes, but I love him more for it. Everything checked out fine. And I will admit that was a relief to know for sure. I'll never tell him that, though.

It seems like over the past week I've sprouted a belly. It's taken 16 weeks, but there's definitely no hiding it anymore. I'm having to let out the waists of all of my clothes!

He likes to listen to it. I don't understand how, exactly, but due to the fact that he used to be part of the Desians, he has a special exsphere that gives him enhanced hearing, among other things. So he can hear our baby's heartbeat clear as day. I wish I could, too. It always makes him smile.

Always and forever,

Sissy

Dear little Sis,

I'm so tired I can barely see straight, but I just had to write and tell you that it's finally happened – I'm a mommy now, can you believe it?

Our little boy came kicking and screaming (just like he did in my belly!) into this world yesterday, and Sis, he's so beautiful, I wish you were here to see him. I think he looks more like his daddy, but daddy swears he looks like me.

It was so amazing to hold my little boy for the first time. And to see him in his daddy's arms for the first time, too. Somehow, through all of this running, this stress, we've made something perfect.

You're officially an auntie now, my little Sis. Someday, when all the Desians are gone, I hope so much that we can see eachother again, and you can meet your nephew.

Ah, sorry for that last bit - I kind of fell asleep writing. I should probably stop and rest.

Love always,

Sissy

My little Sis,

Apologies for the slight tear in the paper - my boy thought it would be a good idea to try and eat your letter, and I just barely managed to snatch it from his mouth in time. He turns two next week, can you believe it? I wish you could hear him giggling right now. He loves it when daddy tosses him up in the air. He's still the happiest, best behaved kiddo I could imagine having.

Well, except for his curiosity. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change him for anything, but I'm surprised he hasn't turned into a golem or a tree from all the dirt and seeds he's found tasty.

We're on the coast again, and it always reminds me of you. Tonight I'm cooking your favorite curry stew. It turns out my Hero rather likes curry, also. Great minds think alike.

I hope you have a good dinner tonight too, my little one. I love you.

Sissy

Dear Sis,

Three years. Can you believe I've made it out here for three years? When I first left that ranch with my Hero, I wondered if I'd be okay for hours, much less days, months or years.

The sun is just setting, now. We're between towns, on the move again. Daddy has his boy on his shoulders. He's teaching him about the stars. Or trying to, anyway. Our kiddo hasn't developed something close to an attention span yet. I don't know if he ever will, haha.

I'm missing you a lot tonight. You're thirteen now, and I bet you've grown up and gotten even more beautiful. I wonder if you still have your freckles. I want to know so much about you, and what you've done with your life - but your safety is most important, and is more than enough for me.

Always and forever

Sissy

Sis,

I can't tell you anything good this time. I'm sorry.

They've gotten so close to finding us. We're running as fast as we can but I don't know how much longer it will last. They have patrols waiting for us no matter where we go. We're going to try one last place, someplace new and out of the way. My Hero doesn't think we'll be easy to track there. I hope he's right.

Ah, listen to me. I'm sorry. I know we'll be fine. I just get a little scared sometimes. I worry so much for our boy. He's asleep in my lap right now. I wish I could rest as deeply as he does. Sometimes I get so tired.

Everything will be okay. I promise. Don't worry about me.

Sissy

Sis, I need you to be strong right now. I need you to listen to me. Please.

This might be the last letter I can send you. We are passing through one last town, but where we are headed, there are hardly any other people, and nowhere I can meet my contacts. I don't know how long we will have to stay there. It could be for a long time.

It hurts so much that I can't talk to you anymore. But I have to do what is best for my son. I know my Hero will keep us safe. He always has. Please don't worry.

No matter what happens - no matter if they catch us, or we have to keep running forever - this has all been worth it. This quiet, simple life has been worth it. The happiness that my Hero and my son have given me is more than I could ever ask for.

My only regret is that you weren't here with us to share in it. I can only pray that you've found your own happiness, and that you never, ever let it go.

I love you always and forever. Thank you for everything.

Please don't ever forget me.

Sissy