When the World Ends

Finally, Now

He cries as he reads her letter. He shakes his head. He never knew, he tells me, he never knew. Did he hurt her so much? How did she die?

Did she forgive him?

Does she forgive him?

   Then, he hands me a single piece of paper.

   "It's for you. It has your name on it."

   And then, it's my turn to cry.

   Ah yes, she forgives me.

Keane,
I am losing myself. I'm so scared, and I seem to be forgetting everything. My memories are all jumbled up, and when I coughed this morning I saw blood in the snowy ash on the ground. I don't think I have very long.
I'm sorry I'm leaving you like this. And Ollie. God bless his soul, I'll be with him soon. I hope Mannie will give you this letter. Did you give him his? I suppose you must have, if you're reading this.
Keane, thank you, so so so much for everything. I never once regretted being stuck with you. In fact, I can safely say this: I love you. You became my family, Keane. You saved me.
Your wit and quick thinking saved us countless of times. It definitely saved me from the dangers of man. I forgive you for what you did, Keane. All of it. And I'm sure that God will forgive you too.
So please, Keane, when my time comes, don't give up. Live. Live for me, live for Ollie, live for Misa and Ava and everyone at the school and everyone else who lost their lives.
I'll always be with you, Keane. I'll stand by your side until the very end, and through you, I will live.
I live. I love. I am dying.
Ah, Keane, thank you.
Love,
Robin

   And though she will always love the boy, I will always love her.

   My lovely, poor little bird.

   She really was with me, all of the way.