Anemoia // Sally Face

35: Goodbye, from...

+Sal's POV+

Every night is cold. They haven't given me a single blanket, and I wonder how I haven't died from sickness yet. Every day is the same. I stay inside the cell and wait for my two horrible meals to arrive. I can't go out. This cell is the only space I have to move around, and it's maybe 6 feet by 6 feet. My cell door is made out of solid steel, with only a slot by the base that guards open to give me my meals through. There's only a small window for me to look out of, and outside, is a field; and past the field are trees. I miss the woods, and I miss my friends. I took life for granted, and only realized how beautiful it was until I took someone else's away and got locked up for the rest of mine. Shortly, I will have no more life.

What was it all for... fighting the darkness, trying to stop the cult. Was it all for nothing? Will the world survive because I told them? Will my friends survive, the few people I still love?

The only thing I can do is think. I have so much time to think. Being locked away from everyone has made me think. When I lay on my bed that shouldn't even be called a bed, all that I can do is think, because the cold keeps me awake.

I've already lost count of the days. They all seem to blur together anyway. What's the point in counting them when in the end, they're only counting towards the days before my inevitable death.

Today would be the same routine. But I heard something unfamiliar. The sound of clinking heels coming down the hall. Usually, it would be boots from guards walking to my cell to give me my food. Why would a woman be coming down here? There are no other cells in this hall, since this is the isolation ward.

The sound stops right outside my door. I wait to see what happens. I hear a pair of keys being used, and the slot on the door opens up and a piece of paper is quickly thrown in before the slot is shut.

"A girl wanted me to give this to you. Don't you dare tell anyone I was here," the women hissed.

I bent down to grab the discarded paper, and realize it's an envelope. "Thank you, I won't say a word," I confirmed.

"Good," she sighs, and as quickly as the women came, she left. The sound of her heels echoing down the hall.

The last thing I expected to get in jail was a letter. And from the way the women said not to say how I got it means I'm not supposed to have it.

There's nothing written on the envelope. I quickly tear it open and grab the letter inside.

Dear Sal,

Hello Sally, this is Katie. I wanted to see you in person, but the women at the desk said no one could visit you under any circumstance. Thankfully, she allowed me to write this letter to you instead.

There's so much I want to say, and even confirm, but there's no way to get answers from you. The only things I can say is goodbye, and some clarification on my end.

I'd like to start out by saying, I believe you. The darkness, the cult, everything you said in the trial, I believe it. While I was at your trial, I saw Travis, and could only talk to him for a moment, but he told me your story was correct, but what you did to save everyone wasn't enough. He says more people will die, and even he can't stop it. But, even if no one in this town believes you Sally, we do. I only wish Travis could tell me more, but I haven't been able to find him. I can't even talk to Ash and Maple, as they've been 'busy'. Things have gotten weird Sal, but I'm sure you understand why.

Next, I'd like to say goodbye. I never got to say goodbye to Larry. And it haunts me to this day that he never got to see me before he was gone. Even when I visited the tree house, I didn't see his ghost. But for you Sal, I can write out something. Thank you for everything Sally. Our friendship over the years and all the laughs we shared. I know it probably doesn't mean anything to you now, because of the situation you've found yourself in, but you mean so much to me, even now. I'm so sorry you were the one who had to kill those people. That you were prophesied or whatever to be the one to stop the cult. Sal, you were only a teenager already dealing with a threat much larger than you. It consumed your life, and you couldn't even grow up and be a normal adult. Ever since the day you were born, this was your destiny. I'm sorry it had to be you. And I'm sorry I couldn't even help you.

Sal, it will be hard for me to say goodbye to you forever, and not even getting a goodbye back. I won't be there when they execute you. Maybe one day I can see you in heaven, or as a ghost, or whatever is after death. Maybe we can be reincarnated together and be friends again in a new life, one where you could grow up as a normal child and go to school and make a bunch of friends. But that's all speculation.

Goodluck in there, and out there where we don't know what will happen next

Goodbye, from Katie

The last thing Katie will ever say to me. This letter is the last bit of her I have. Another letter. Just like the one I got from Larry. Their last goodbye. But instead of Larry dying, it's me dying. It feels so wrong.

I fold the letter neatly and tuck in under my 'pillow'. I can't let the guards see it, or they'll take it away, and they'll probably find Katie and do horrible things to her. I can't let her end up another victim. I want to keep reading what she wrote me until the day I die. It's the last thing I'll have from a friend. I won't cry though. Tears will do me nothing in here. I can only live with the sadness in my heart until execution day.

But it is interesting to think that Travis was there the day of my trial. When I saw him as I walked out, I wondered why he would show up. He's also a cult member, and having him there among other members, he could have gotten into trouble. But I am thankful he was there, that way he could confirm my story to Katie, and at least she would know I wasn't lying. But what happens now? Like Travis told her, the darkness will keep spreading, and more people will die. I might have slowed it down, but the cult hasn't stopped. I was only a pawn in the grand scheme of things. My death will mean nothing, and I couldn't even save the entire world. Some savior was destined to be. There has to be more for me to do. Maybe things I can only do once I'm dead.

It's strange to think I'm only a dead man walking. My purpose here is over, and once I'm dead I'll continue towards my goal of stopping the cult, once and for all. But after they're stopped? What will happen to me? Will I be a ghost? Or will my spirit disappear from this world. I don't understand what is to come, but maybe it's not for me to know.

Maybe no one knows.