THE 33 KEYS: Key 2 - ANSWER THE CALL "Listen for that Perfect Beat"

CHAPTER 37: THE CASTLE THIEVES

No mail comes on Thursday morning so the day starts off a little better. And Hazel's off somewhere, hopefully the place she disappears to when she comes back with food. So at least I'll have that to look forward to. I decide to use my alone time to prepare my mind for leaving. True, I don't have the boxes as yet; but if I do at least one thing to make that eviction notice real, maybe I'll build the courage to buy them. I sift through the plastic bags I keep in the cupboard and empty one filled with old letters. Three pop out at me, all unopened; one from Lily, the other from my mother's sister, and Pete's.

It's hard to decide which one to read first. But soon enough I tear open the one from the castle thief. It's dated in early 2017 and already I think she addressed it to the wrong person.

To my favourite niece,

A recent experience has made me realize I haven't always been a good person. There are a few people I didn't treat right, and you're one of them. Please let me make it up to you. Let me do you a favour before I die. Come see me and you'll get your house back when you turn twenty-one. Of course, if you play stubborn; my attorney will just follow the previous will.

And she leaves it unsigned. I can't believe it! Even after admitting to her crimes, this evil old woman refuses to validate the confession with her signature. Ahhh! Why am I so flustered anyway? It's not like her empty words matter. I turned twenty-one twelve months ago. My eyes widen. Twelve months? Does it? Does that mean the castle thief? Does that mean she's finally dead?

I take a deep breath before opening Pete's letter. Back when it came in the mail, I refused to open it because he had already said it in person; and I couldn't bear to see it in print too. But now that the mystery girl has finally made an appearance, I might as well get it over and done with.

Dear Mary,

This can't be helped and I don't expect you to forgive me. But I've met a woman who can help me escape Leer Island. I know what you're thinking, that we planned to escape together. But hey! If not both of us, then at least one of us should escape. And if I don't grab this chance, I'll probably end up dead in these rotten streets. Sorry; but I can't let that happen to me. Goodbye and good luck.

Pete.

Yes, just like that, there was no more Pete and Mary. Inhale. Exhale. And soon, no more Mary.

Dear Mary,

There are so many things I wish I could explain. However, this isn't the best time. Just please understand that I love you dearly and will always watch over you from afar. And despite what you hear, just know that one day I'll return and all the pain will be worth it.

You trusted friend,

Lily.

If my eyes weren't so moist, I'd laugh. Coming back? What? How, even? Does Lily think she's Jesus now?

Reading those letters makes me want to rise above what has become my life. And the only place that allows me to do that is the rooftop. Yet I don't want to be up all night tortured by my thoughts, the way it always happens when I set them free to dance in the rain. So I open the bottle and pop enough pills to make me fall asleep like clockwork. Then I prepare a hot cup of water, dump some sugar in and grab six more biscuits.

Once atop the roof, two things always happen. I stare out at the turquoise blue ocean and get renewed strength to continue. But now the dark moon has turned the ocean red, and it will be like that for seven days. I look over the edge and feel like jumping. Then I think of the pain and draw back. There are so many possible outcomes, the worst of them being that I end up crippled.

Just the thought of it is more than enough to deter me. No matter what people say, there are worse things than death. We may learn to cope with them. However, that doesn't mean we're willing to fool ourselves about the reality of our situation. So don't lie to us about our own pain. Whisper sweet nothings in your own ears, if you must; just stop being politically correct about what feeds on our souls. It's the truth that will set us all free, not your frosted lies and empty promises. Leave us with our truths, bitter though they may be. Inhale. Exhale. Please just let us breathe.

Like right now. If I speak my truth, I'll tell you that I want to jump off this building. But I might also add that I want to see new tomorrows, perhaps in other worlds. And if the reflection of the water on these cave's walls will just stop beating its silent drum – the one only like minds can hear, I'll grab that time machine and take off. Then I can be here, there and everywhere. And when I'm done with my gallivanting, I can find my way back from Freedom Corner. That's where Lily will be waiting, to see my two selves reunite and save this chaff from the fierce winds.