Lovelette - short story

Lovelette

The strong winds gushed through the train station like an icy sea wave. Ignoring the horde of special agents with black sunglasses, earpieces, shiny shoes and black suits, there was no one at the train station apart from the three of us. The agents were lined up next to the walls of the train station and the outside of the train. We all waited for him... Patiently, patiently. I didn't want him to get on that train, because I knew... I knew that if he travelled to the outskirts to clear his name, he would never return. I did not know what they would do to him there, but I did not want him to go. It was a trap which he and the rest of us knew he was falling into. However, he had no other option... This is the repayment you get for saving a town from destruction... Huh?

Eventually, he arrived at the train station, with bandages and scratches on many places on his body and his left arm in a sling. Behind him, holding his right arm, was the short old bald man who was to blame for all of this nonsense. Had he believed us when we initially came to him, none of this would have happened. The short old man gets to keep his high title while Shaun is treated like a criminal. They stopped in front of the train. My heart raced faster and faster. Piers stepped forward and held out his hand. The child gripped onto Piers's trousers and wailed, " NO, NO, NO! Don't let elder brother go! No!" My eyes cramped. They wanted to release tears of sadness, yet I would not let them. However, I could only control them for so much longer. My eyes got wet and I was blinded by tears. I could just barely see him smile weakly and wave us goodbye, forever, as the train sped away... The special agents fell away.

That day we returned home and did not eat. The curtains were not opened and the heater was not put on. Our home remained cold and dark...

***

The next morning I walked out into the cold kitchen. I heard the cooing of a pigeon at the window. That was strange. Pigeons had not been seen in this town for many years. I pulled the curtain and the bird pecked at the window. I had a strange feeling to open the window. I did. The pigeon hopped inside and I noticed a letter tied to its pink leg. I removed the letter from its leg, unfolded it, and read.

Beloved Thea and Piers,

Our meeting at the train station yesterday... It could barely be described as a meeting. I don't want to be separated from you for so many years. BUT! When I return and my name gets cleared, I will come straight to meet you and will never leave you after that.

He knew this would not be the case but he was optimistic.

I know that you want to come with me and stay with me but so much that the two of you worked your entire lives for is in that town. Thea, you can't just abandon your bakery, and Piers, you have a job at your dream company. Why would you throw away your lifelong dreams and efforts to be with me? The person who had no dreams. Anyway... We won't have to stop talking to each other during these years. The bird I sent, Lovelette, is a messenger bird. She'll allow you to send messages to me and allow me to send messages to you. Also, try and find out her favourite food for me. I think it's bread... But I could be wrong.

It turned out to be cake. He was wrong.

Message me, please. Don't leave me alone.

Lots of Love,

Shaun

We messaged each other and exchanged letters seven times before he stopped responding... Before Lovelette never returned home again. We never heard from him again, but we heard about him three years later. He remained no more in this world. No one knows what they did to him at the outskirts. They won't say.