The Sky Never Ends

The Letter

Noah was bewildered by her answer, it was clear to him that she was hiding the journal for a reason. It was buried purposefully underneath all of her clothes in the trunk in her room. He might have missed it if he didn't double back to make sure he had all of her belongings. He'd intrusively thumbed through the pages to see if it'd been used and what it had been used for, only to find it being in brand new condition. To say he was curious about it would've been an understatement.

He had to admit that he was relieved to find that it was not Ikal who bestowed her with another gift. His underlying possessiveness over her emerged at just the thought.

Noah turned sharply to look at her and she dropped her hand from his arm.

"Write a letter.... and tell them what...?"

"To tell them I am alive and safe... I know how insane it sounds, but... I believe this is my only chance Noah."

"I asked you no longer than an hour ago to not get in anymore trouble. Do you not think this is trouble?" he implored staring at her accusingly.

"I- I had plan... I just wanted to at least try...

My family probably thinks I'm already dead by now. All I could think of was how relieved they'd be just to hear from me."

"My sister, she helped you orchestrate this atrocious plan I'm sure."

"No.. no it was only my idea..." she said shaking her head, attempting to sound emphatic, but it was unconvincing.

"I've known my bleeding heart meddlesome sister for a very long time, and this has her name written all over it." he huffed.

"Please don't be mad... she was just trying to help."

Noah rubbed his large hand over his beard and let out a deep and disapproving sigh.

He picked up the carafe of whiskey, pouring himself a glass instead of directly into his mouth. Lately, he'd been relying heavily on liquor to make it through the day, his stress had hit its peak, and he had to look for ways to escape.

"Noah, I know it sounds ridiculous to you, I understand why... but please... let me write one letter?" she pleaded. "At least think about it for a little bit, before you shut me down completely. I know I'm asking for so much from you... and I have no real way I can pay you back... but, I absolutely would if I could! If I had the means...

This is the last thing I will ever ask you to do for me." Selah muttered, sounding more pathetic as she rambled on.

"I highly doubt that Selah." he said shaking his head.

"Please Noah." she covered her heart with her hands. " I promise, you won't have to fight another one of my battles. I will try to grin and bear it through the next two years; my smart mouth and oft improper attitude under lock and key. I'll avoid Stephen like the plague, and stick to my work... and you can read what I write before it gets sent off."

"With your record, it would be foolish of me to allow something as brazen and risky as this. Especially sent to your parents. The last thing I need to deal with is them sending a gang of hunters cross country in search of their daughter."

"They don't have the means for something like that. No one would send able bodied men across the country for a young colored woman to be returned to her family after tying herself up into trouble. Its much too far and expensive for them to ever make it to this side of the country by themselves. I just... don't want them to forget about me... to give up on ever seeing me again. I'd have ended my life long ago if I didn't convince myself that I would see my family one day again..."