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The Letter

A/n: Hi again! here's the final instalment, the last 6 (contrary to what i said earlier, it is 6 chaps and not 5, i hate to count see) chapters :) Again, my greatest gratitude to all of you who stopped by and took time to review, it really means so much to me especially since this story is one my early babies...updating them here has been a fun ride once again, lol.

It felt surreal that only seconds ago, AJ was in this very room with us. For that few moment, it felt like we were living normal lives again. It was like having our first human contact who represented freedom, and in turn, gave us new found hope that the end of our nightmare was approaching. It’s funny how we felt trap in this Home and regarded it like a death sentence while the disease, the carrier of death itself, doesn’t scare us anymore. To us, freedom is a need and death, a certainty. - Once Kevin was satisfied that AJ had safely got out of the Home without raising any suspicions, he made his way back to the boys’ room and as expected, they were waiting for him. “Is he gone?” Nick asked. “Yeah, safely.” “Will you read us the letter now?” Brian asked. Kevin nodded, a playful smile carved on his lips. He knew they would ask. “I think I’m going to lay down on my bed, I can hear you from there.” Nick announced, already moving. “This back is killing me.” “I can’t read it too loud…you know…obvious reasons.” Kevin said as he pulled his own ear lightly to remind them that it might get heard by unwanted people. “Come on Nick, you can share my bed. There’s enough room for the both of us.” Brian said, waving for his friend to come over. “That doesn’t seem right.” Nick smirked. Howie sighed. “Will you just get in, I’m dying to hear this.” Nick rolled his eyes and went over again. Surprisingly, he had scooted next to Brian without any difficulties at all. Howie sat at the edge of the bed, his hand landed on Brian’s left leg and automatically, he massage it lightly. Howie used to do that to Brian when the latter was still new to the Home. He was always complaining of muscle cramps and Howie would come over and gave him a little massage. It never fails to soothe the young man down. “Man, that felt good.” Brian smiled. “That doesn’t sound right.” Nick frowned. “Nick?” Howie called. “Yeah?” “Shut up.” Kevin shook his head and adjusted himself on the chair. He took out the letter from his breast pocket and unfolded it quickly. “You guys ready?” “For the past 5 years of my life.” Howie replied. “Can’t question that,” Kevin joked. “Okay, here goes.” Hi guys, While I’m- “Hi AJ.” Brian cut in. Howie and Nick couldn’t stop the sudden burst of laughter. Kevin however, wasn’t too dandy about it. “Brian, please.” “What? He said hi, I said hi.” “I don’t have all day Brian and I don’t want to be caught reading this to you!” Kevin whispered loudly. “Okay fine, I won’t interrupt. Go on.” Brian smiled. Howie and Nick were too weak to say anything except to shake their heads. Hi Guys, While I’m writing this down, I’m at the cafeteria where I believe you guys had been having your meal for the past few years. I was just given a very exclusive look into everything that is going on in this place and I don’t know about you guys, but I really hate this Kroeger guy. “See? Everyone hates Kroeger! It’s not just me!” Nick interrupted. “AJ’s smart.” “And I’m going to ignore you and continue reading where you had nicely butted in.” Kevin replied sarcastically. Nick shrugged and Kevin continued. I am suppose to be writing down ‘personal notes’ but I have to write this letter because I know I can’t hang around much longer without getting someone being suspicious. Anyways, I was in Phase 1 to 5 today and I know what you guys had been going through. Kevin, “Hey, he’s talking to you Kev!” Howie smiled. “Cool.” “And it’s about to get hot.” Kevin threatened. Howie scratched his head. “Yeah…ok, continue.” Kevin, I don’t know how you do it but I have new found respect of you today. How could you even survive in this place and not go crazy is beyond me. Your thrive to make this happen will not go unnoticed. Phase one is where they do blood tests on you. From what I gather, I understand that Brian and Howie had went through this stage before. You don’t get much side effects except for the usual drowsiness for the loss of blood. Phase two, that’s where you are Brian. Everybody looked at Brian for a moment. Nick could feel his friend suddenly tensed up next to him. He wanted to give his friend comfort but he knew they had none. They test human’s energy level to see if the medication that they had come up with fit with the human body. That’s why you’re often asked to run on the mill at speed that even a sprinter would not go for. And with Darla, the side effects could be severe. Most of these victims will end up paralysed from the neck down and judging by what Kevin told me, you’re going to be bed ridden if this goes on. Good news is, the showdown is in two days, hang in there buddy! “That’s why you’re not getting any better.” Howie said. “Lets not talk about it. Go on Kev.” Brian urged. No one argued, so Kevin continued. Phase three, that’s where Howie is. They use electromagnetic wave to try and fight the bad cells from the outside. I don’t know how you stand it Howie cause I saw first hand someone going through it today. How does it feel like to have electric coursing through your body? I could never survive that for years. I believe your eyesight are getting worse now and you suffer from migraines, at least that’s what Kroeger told me. Some of these people are blind now, I saw a few files and Howie, my advice is you rest your eyes a lot these two days. Sleep is always a good thing. “Is this true Howie?” Nick asked. Howie squinted and said, “If I say I’m seeing two of each of you, will that answer your question?” “That’s not funny D.” Kevin said, sounding worried. “Of course not,” Howie replied. “It’s scary! Like one of you is not enough.” “Howie you’re a goof!” Brian chuckled. “Whoever say goof anymore?” Nick smirked. “Brian, you’ve been in here for far too long.” “And that’s about to change in two days.” Kevin replied. The room went silent, but for the first time, they were smiling. Kevin took this as a sign that he should continue. Phase four, that’s where you are Nick. I don’t know why they let you skip the first three and I’m sorry that you have to go through this. Phase 4 are individual cases, they treat you differently according to the cause of how you get Darla. Nick had a history of fractured bones from the accident we had and they’re using this method of injecting this ‘formula’ into your bone. And from results, I learnt that whatever it is that they injected in you were still faulty in some areas and that’s why you’re not getting any better. Is your back still bleeding Nick? Cause I took a look at your file and wound never did heal right? And you’ve been throwing up blood too. Kroeger said it’s normal but I know it’s not. Hang in there buddy, just two more days. Please. Howie looked over at Brian. He couldn’t believe Brian had been right all along. He had been sick for a while now and he still know what was going on with their roommate while he was oblivious to it. Funny how a letter could reveal more than what he could gather living with them for years now. Maybe he had succeeded in dwelling about death. Maybe he had succeeded in not caring anymore and pushing the ones he needed the most away. But he didn’t want it to be that way. “See, I told you I was right.” Brian said. Howie nodded. “What’s this about your back Nick?” Kevin asked, concerned. Nick, realising he couldn’t hide it anymore, sighed and got up to a sitting position. He pulled his shirt up half way to reveal a bandage around his waist, a red spot could be seen down by the spine. “They injected with these syringes that’s the size of an elephant and supposed to make me all dandy, they do jack.” Nick replied and then pushed his shirt down again. “Elephant? Exaggerating much don’t you think?” Brian chuckled, although Nick knew he was nervous. “All that I’ve said and elephant stick with you?” Nick sighed. “Well…it’s funny.” Howie agreed. Kevin shook his head, again, before saying, “We have to talk about that after this Mister, don’t think you’ll get away from me. Now, I’m going to continue this.” Phase 5 is, like you guess, the worst. It involves surgeries and the extraction of certain organs and the implantation of controlled substance inside a body. And our plan have to succeed because Phase 5 will be operational the beginning of next week. We can’t afford to have that happening. I’ll be sending all these new information over to Josh on my way out and he’ll have it sent over to Eric. By tonight, Leighanne will get the ever important email and a package in her mailbox. And the rest, is all up to her. She’s a brilliantly smart woman, I’m sure she’ll make the right choice. I will be at the debate centre in two days, I’ll have control over the systems there so that’s one more problem solved. All I ask of you now is to hang on and keep on breathing. Freedom is only two days away! Bone Ps: This message will not self-destruct in five seconds cause this ain’t no Mission Impossible, so Kevin, flush this down the toilet! “With that, I shall leave you three and flush this evidence away.” Kevin said as he got up and went straight for the restroom. Brian, Nick and Howie looked at each other, nobody said anything. - While I was dreaming of the ways I would be reunited with my family, the things I’d say and do when I see them, Brian was worried if it would be too much for his mom to see him in the condition that he was in. He knew that everything would change and get more complicated for him and Leighanne too and as much as he was looking forward to embracing the two most precious women in his life, he wondered if it was fair to put them through it all over again. To mourn for his death for real the next time his time is up. And Howie…Howie was wondering if he even had a house once he came out. He wondered who should he hug and celebrate his freedom with, for everyone else he loved had reunited in heaven. But that day, there was one thing that we forgot. We can plan, but it doesn’t mean it will happen the way you want it to.