It's been two years since the kidnapping. The young Descole is trying to forget about what happened, and he's beginning to get better. However, he still reminisces about his old life with Theodore.
At this point, Descole is 12 years old while Layton is 7.
Theodore,
It's been two years already. Two years since we were separated, and I'm starting to convince myself that it will always be this way. Maybe it's for the best, don't you think? In fact, I have given up – or at least, I'm trying to.
Do you still remember the nightmares I had back when we were living on our own? One night, I couldn't help but scream, and I woke you up. You came rushing towards me, with that look on your face… I saw the sadness in your eyes, Theodore. I never had the courage to tell you that I will do anything I can to see you smile. I'm writing it now, almost three years later, even though I know this letter will never reach you. Either way, I failed you. I need to move on now, because I'm the only one still thinking about it.
Anyway. The nightmares. I had to tell you, even if I didn't want to admit it. I was the oldest, I had to protect you. I had to show you the way! I couldn't be weak in front of you; yet, this one time, I did. I will never forget what you said to me.
"Hersh, are you okay? Did you see our parents?" You asked with that concerned little voice of yours. I was shocked – I had never mentioned these dreams to you, but you were able to understand what was happening to me. Straight away, you understood. I nodded, and then I asked you to sit on my bed.
We talked a lot during that night. We talked about our lost parents, about us, about our lost future. You were so young, yet so sharp. Any other boy of four would not have grasped what was happening to us, but you were able to understand it, and you were being so calm. You almost never cried – I think you may have cried less than I have. Your strength will be your greatest asset in life.
That night, when I told you I wanted to go back to sleep, you put your hand on my arm.
"Can I stay with you, Hersh?"
I couldn't say no, so we shared my bed during the rest of the night. Feeling your warm body against mine calmed me down. This way, I knew you'd stay unharmed, and I could look after you. You fell asleep fast. I was afraid to dream again, but it didn't happen.
In truth, I still have these nightmares, but they happen less often. Ever since that night, whenever I wake up screaming and covered in a cold sweat, there's nobody here to ask me if I'm fine. So I just end up thinking about you, and I'm trying to imagine your body next to mine, in my bed. I'm glad these horrible dreams are finally beginning to disappear. I hope you're okay as well.
I must say that I'm slowly getting away from these painful memories – it is only logical to assume that the nightmares are calming down. More than one year ago, I went back to school. I'll be in year eight soon: everything is going to get difficult. I must work a lot if I want to follow in Father's footsteps. I mustn't give up now, and most of all, I must focus. I can't lose sight of my objectives. I'm the oldest one: responsibility fells on me. "What responsibility, Hersh?" would you ask me.
Revenge.
I can't move on – I can't let that down. I want to avenge you, avenge our family. There's no way I'm going to fail: I will become an archaeologist, that's for sure. Then I will get what Targent seeks before them, and Father will be freed.
But for now, I need to forget about the rest. I hope that, one day, you will forgive me for trying to erase your existence.
Your brother, Hershel