✰ BURNING NOW ✰ RAFAEL WAITHE

Natalie's letters to Klaus

March 22 , 2028

Dear Dad,

Hey old man.

If you were here, that's how I would walk up to you, and greet you.

I would ask how are you doing, but that would be an insult to you and I 's intelligence.

If I'm being honest with myself, I miss you. Like a lot. Today I learned not only did mom lie to me make sure I slept at night, I learned you two didn't find peace. That means mom can't talk or see her dad, also meaning that she's probably miserable. I wonder has uncle Lijah found peace? I hope he has, but I know he hasn't because you haven't found peace.

I have a boyfriend I don't deserve. Rafael. I'm sorta glad you're not here. You'd rip out his jugular. But, I'm sure you see him since you watch over Hope and I.

I got into a huge fight with uncle Alaric. He didn't want Hope and I dealing with the new monster, the necromancer. But since I'm your child, I did it anyway. He told me that darkness was just in my path, as I'm just like you. But he didn't mean just say that out loud, but he was a little tipsy.

Don't they say a drunk person speaks a sober mind?

But he's right. I am. No offense.

Ric also said if I needed to leave the school. He was also right. He said that the school was to help, and I didn't need the help due to how it looks.

I know you're probably tired of hearing me vent by now, even though you probably can't even here me.

Penny for your thought?

Natalie.

May 23 , 2026
Dear Dad,

Hi.

I tried to take care of Hope like I promised, but I'm failing. Your worst fear.

Emma tries to tell me to channel my grief. But if I did, the whole world would be on fire, underwater, or I would be dead. So she told me to try another method: pretending you're on a vacation. I told her that wouldn't work either, because I would call you, and beg you to come home, then you would come home.

But you're not coming home. Ever again.

It's been a full week since you sacrificed yourself, and I feel numb. Hope has been dealing with it, and I've been silent. I can't sleep or eat. Lizzie and Josie has been in and out to check on me, but I just tune them out.

When I get by myself, I hear myself yelling at you: If you loved me, then you wouldn't do this to me! Crazy what my last words were to you.

But I guess I'm just stupid, because that's why you're dead.

Dead. A straight forward word. When people ask me about you, I say you're dead.

I mean you are dead.

People tell me that it's to much of a "straight forward word", but I call them weak.

Don't they say the truth shall set you free?

I guess I should write you like this more. Key word: I guess.

One other method Emma tried was pretend I'm sending you a postcard.

But you hate postcards. You find them clique. Or is that just me?

In that case...

Wish you were here!

Natalie.