Alcatraz

Letter 19- N I A L L

30 June 2014

 

 

Dear Zayn,

 

I’m really terribly sorry for the lateness of this letter. I don’t have much of an excuse, either, save for the fact that I was angry. Not at you, of course, but at those men who beat you up, at the guards who stood by while you were hurt, about the whole situation you are in, really. I keep reminding myself that it’s a thing of the past, but the thought of those men’s hands on you, it infuriates me. I’m glad to hear you at least attempted to stand up for yourself, although your attempts were bound to be futile from the start. It’s really not fair that they ganged up on you five against one. It clearly shows that they’re intimidated by you. Or that they’re jealous. Or maybe they feel the need to show their masculinity since they lack in a certain department, if you catch my vibe. Whatever their reasons, they’re cowards, so keep your head up and wear those battle wounds proudly because you’re ten times the man any one of them will ever be.

 

I, too, have mixed feelings about your impending trial. Part of me is leaping for joy, hoping the jury will find you not guilty, or at least guilty only of petty crimes so you can be released to me as soon as possible. The other half sits huddled in a dark corner somewhere, hugging his knees to his chest and expecting the worse. He’s the half I’m suppressing because I know for a fact that you’re not the horrible man the media makes you out to be. As you know, I’m well versed when it comes to details of your life (in the least creepy way possible), but I know only what is printed in the newspapers and magazines. They make you out to be a villain every time, accusing you of crimes so heinous I literally can’t even picture you (or anyone with even a smidgen of a conscience left) committing. Now please take what I’m about to tell you with a grain of salt, and be assured that I’m not under any false belief that you are actually guilty of all you are accused of. I’ve heard that you single-handedly wiped out numerous other gangs who opposed you or got in the way of your business dealings. Machine guns and short-range pistols are supposedly your favourite weapons in your arsenal, but knives will do in a pinch. You’ve apparently tried to poison numerous government officials in an attempt to take over their office and wealth for yourself, although there are mysteriously no autopsies that can prove such a thing—part of your conspiracy no doubt! Umm, let’s see… you robbed several banks, leaving the tellers with one clean shot straight through the head each time. You are an embezzler, a con man, a confidant with evil. A child-hater, a puppy-kicker. Oh, but wait, here’s my favourite! You were behind every single bombing or attack in recent history. Because that makes a lot of fucking sense. I know you’re not like that, Zayn, but would you mind sharing with me what you think your charges may be? I’d just like to be prepared, really. I swear on my life I’d never share what you say with anyone else. I don’t show any of your letters to anyone, actually. I like having a piece of you that no one else is allowed. Maybe that’s weird, I don’t know. It just gives me something to cherish.

 

I can’t even imagine living without music for as long as you’ve had to. It’s practically my life! My tastes vary quite a bit too and I have to say, I approve of your picks. Slow songs are nice, I suppose, but as you may have guessed, fast-paced songs more suit my fancy. Goes with my personality, yes? I did, however, take your advice and listen to Ed Sheeran and Lewis Watson. I’d heard a few of Ed’s songs on the radio and always thought he had quite the voice, but once I started listening to the whole album, I began to realise what a talent he really is. I’d never actually listened to Lewis Watson, but holy shit Zayn. He and Ed sounds so similar I couldn’t even believe it. And the whole singer-songwriter thing both of them have going for them makes me even more impressed. You may have converted me to the slow-song side. (Like the dark side, get it? Of course you did, sorry I’m an idiot.) Anyway, I did some thinking and I wanted to do a little something for you since you’ve given so much to me through these letters. So, um, I got you a little gift. Hopefully the whole thing has arrived by now. As you may’ve noticed, this letter wasn’t in its usual boring old white envelope. I thought I’d change it up with a parcel this time. Cool, right! Anyway, hopefully you haven’t opened the little object I so carefully wrapped with newspaper. What? It’s the comics and I didn’t have any wrapping paper! Anyway, on you go. Open it, would you? Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking what ever will you do with a mixtape I’ve burned for you without a CD player? Well, have no fear because it just so happens that you do have a CD player! Well, not you specifically; I checked with the head warden and he said that wasn’t allowed. He was, however, more than happy to take up my offer of supplying a new player for the common room. He said it was a great idea and that he was sure the inmates would thank me. I figured CD’s would be easier to get your hands on and I even took the liberty of making this one for starters. Here’s the track listing:

1)    The State of Dreaming…………………………Marina and the Diamonds

2)    Banana Pancakes…………………………………………....Jack Johnson

3)    Heart-Shaped Box…………………………………………………..Nirvana

4)    Bones………………………………………………………….Lewis Watson

5)    Beneath Your Beautiful…………………………………………..…Labrinth

6)    Hey Jude…………………………………………………….......The Beatles

7)    Sex…………………………………..….......................................The 1975

8)    With Love………………………………………….……...Christina Grimmie

9)    All of Me………………………………………………………..John Legend

10) Magic………………………………………………………....……...Coldplay

11) Sunday Morning……………………………………………….......Maroon 5

12) A-Punk…………………………………………………...Vampire Weekend

13) Little Bird……………………………………………..………….Ed Sheeran

14) Oblivion……………………………………………..…………………Bastille

15) Who We Are………………………………….…………...Imagine Dragons

Hope you like it! Let me know if you want any other songs and I’ll make you another CD, if you’d like.

 

Yours truly,

 

Niall xxx

Okay, first order of business: I need to say a massive THANK YOU to each and every one of you who voted and commented on the last letter. That was the highest amount of votes and comments I've ever gotten by far! Think we can beat it? I think so! Vote/ comment like crazy (even small comments are always appreciated) so we can get Alcatraz ranked higher than #48! I'm not above bribing you with extra updates ;)

Second: Listen to the songs Niall's made into a CD for Zayn! They're fantastic, just saying ;) Let me know your opinions

Third: I wanted to know if any of you had any suggestions of things you want to see happen with this story. I got a few SMUTTTTT comments last letter (you know who you are), so we'll see how that goes. 

VOTE<COMMENT<FAN<Love you<3