"My darling Michael,
I miss you. It's been 48 days since I last laid eyes on you, and I miss you so much."
The pen scratched across the paper as she wrote at the desk in the morning light.
"They still haven't told me why I'm here. I don't know what I did. What law have I broken that they keep me locked up? Oh, they're very nice about it. Sickeningly nice, always asking if I'm comfortable, always asking if I need anything. But, they never understand that there are only two things I really need. I need to know why they're keeping me a prisoner here. And I need to see you. They never let me see you. They won't even tell me where you are, how you are.
Always lies. Always excuses.I know it's been 48 days. I count every tick on the wall before I sit up in the morning.
Do you remember the night we snuck out and watched the stars come out above town? It was so beautiful. I can still feel how big your hand felt around mine, the strength of your arms around me as we took in the millions of tiny lights in the sky. My mother nearly killed me when you finally took me back home and she was waiting up. But, it was worth every moment of consequence, Michael. Every moment. I knew that night I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. I knew. Did you know too?
I just didn't know it would be so short. Did I tell you that I miss you?
How I wish you would come and get me out of here. The security here is insane. I've tried every way I can think of to escape, but they always find me. They always bring me back. I don't even know if you know where I am. Do you get these letters?
I get through every day by thinking of you, hoping you're alright, hoping you'll take me out of here. I love you, darling.
Ever Yours,
Beth"
She folded the letter and slid it into an already-addressed envelope, licking it shut. Carefully tiptoeing to the door, she cracked it just an inch and peeked out. A man was sitting on a bench outside.
"Psst. Psst!" she hissed.
He looked up and smiled. "Good afternoon, madam."
"Shhh," she whispered, glancing nervously at the security desk down the hall. "They'll hear you. Sir, could I trouble you once more to slide this into a mailbox on your way home? It's very important. Please don't let them know."
He put his hand on hers and looked seriously into her eyes. "Of course. It will be our secret."
Relief flooded through her. "Thank you, you're so very kind. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you. Maybe someday when I get out of here...." she trailed off.
His smile faded a little, but he nodded. "Maybe someday."
Beth smiled and shut the door, retreating to a windowseat in her room and a book. Occasionally, she stopped reading to glance out the window. She watched the man walk to his car, turning to wave up at her, before getting in and driving away from the compound.
----------
He passed a mailbox on his way back to work, but he didn't stop to drop off the letter. Instead, he pushed open the door of his building and made his way up to his office on the seventh floor. He nodded to his secretary, grabbing his messages on the way.
Dropping into his office chair, he pulled the letter from his pocket and broke the seal. The paper was violet and smelled of roses.
"My darling Michael," he read. "I miss you..."
The phone rang, interrupting the letter. Reaching for the TALK button, he answered, "This is Michael. How can I help you?"
Oohhhhh, sad.
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