Duskwood After Story

Reunion, Part 1

It had been months since everything ended. Hannah was found, the kidnapper caught. Everything went back to how it was in Duskwood, except for one thing: Jake. After exchanging how we feel about each other, Jake had not contacted me but he kept his messaging app intact. I knew he was there watching me still and read everything I had sent him, but he could not answer due to his circumstances. I knew he did love me and I loved him back so I had tried to be patient. But the longer it went without talking with him, the more yearning I got. I missed him, somebody I had not even met in real life. I missed him, even when I did not know what he looked like or what his real voice sounded like. This ache in my chest would not go away every time I looked at the "read" checkmark on my messages to him. It wasn't long until I decided to break my promise with him: I would go to Duskwood. I wanted to see him, the man I love so much.

I don't know if Jake had any idea about my job. I guess he didn't since I keep a very private life without social media. Any information about me was concealed carefully. Only my circle of close friends knew what I was up to at all times. With that said, I had a feeling Jake didn't know that I had been working at the national research council as a computer scientist for years (Ha! Who's the hacker now?). To the contrary of what he might have thought, I knew a lot (or at least enough to understand what he does) about computers, cyber security and other things like that. I had also tried my hands at white hat hacking but I highly doubt I would ever be as good as my beloved hacker.

I knew I could not make this decision lightly. Jake had taken extreme measures to ensure the safety for both of us. That meant I could not just up and go see him whenever I feltlike and ruined everything he had tried so hard to build. So I planned carefully how my departure here and arrival at Duskwood would be. I made all the arrangements for my apartment, my job, the plane tickets, and accommodation in Duskwood in secret. I prepared enough funds for myself to live comfortably without a job for a year and erased all the digital footprints I might have left on the internet. I knew that to be together with Jake meant I would highly likely be on the run as well. Instead of getting dissuaded by this thought, I somehow became even more motivated to be with him. "He should know he doesn't have to be the one protecting me all the time. A girl can also do her part".

Once all my preparation was ready, I started drafting a letter (encrypted, of course) to alert Jake of what I'm about to do.

Dear Jake,

By the time you read this letter, I will already be on my way to Duskwood. I'm sorry to have broken my promise with you but my heart cannot take being away from you any longer. I'm sorry for being selfish. I know you're worried about me and just want to ensure our safety. But I, on the other hand, want to assure you that you don't have to worry about me anymore. I've planned out everything as discreetly as I can and I promise you, nothing will compromise your safety or mine. So don't worry anymore. Just prepare to put on your best smile and hugging game for our reunion. :)

I'll arrive in Duskwood on the afternoon of July 28th. I'll be waiting for you at the Chinese restaurant at 8pm on the second table next to the window. When you come in, I'm sure you'll see me sitting facing the entrance. Just walk past me, to the table behind. Then I will give you the next instruction. ;)

I love you and can't wait to see you (for the first time)!

Bailey

(P.S this letter is encrypted and will self-destruct within an hour from the time it's opened. Take notes! I will wait for you as long as it takes.)

(P.S.2 I hope you don't mind me making all the moves once we meet. I really miss you. :) )