Letter [1]

[It’s a few pages ripped out of a journal. The handwriting is messy, and the ink has bled considerably.]

Dear Aubrey,

Sorry for the holdup. I’m not at home right now, so this letter is gonna get sent whenever I get back. Probably tomorrow. Try not to delay your next letter out of spite. Ignore that. I'm not mad about that anymore.

You mentioned your friends a lot in your last letter. I don’t remember all their names. Obviously I know Shiera, ‘cause you haven’t shut up about her for the past four fucking years, but you gotta remember I’ve never met these guys. I think you said ‘of course’ like twenty times, and like. It’s not ‘of course’. I don’t know what ‘course’ is. I’m glad you’re having fun, though.

I know you’re not a fan of Chloe (still not sure why), but me and her went out on an expedition like the good old days. You remember that rumor about the grey square in the woods? We hiked all the way out there. Turns out, massive laboratory they built out here. Very real. I’m sitting on the top floor writing this.

We had to climb down an elevator shaft to explore it. I know you’re sitting there like “that shit did not happen”, but I promise it did. Chloe probably has pictures. I’ll get them printed and send them over once I get back. It was super dark and creepy down in the bottom floor, and craziest part: there were dead bodies. I know it’s getting harder to believe every second, but you’ve gotta trust me here.

We think the lab is an offshoot of Nock Laboratories (that’s where Maya’s interning). All the test logs are from 1957, probably. I say probably because they’re all just labeled ‘57, which is SUPER UNHELPFUL because as far as I’m concerned, the place could be from the future. Which would be dope as hell seriously problematic for the theory of special relativity.

Chloe already left ‘cause of some fashion show she has to run. She’s getting pretty big, actually. 50K followers on Instagram, and that’s damn impressive for not posting a single thirst trap. Her designs are just that good. She’s asked me to be a model for her before, actually. I’m not sure what mom would think about that.

There’s a small chance I won’t be able to reply for a while. I’m kind of banking on something not happening, and that’s why I didn’t leave with Chloe. If it does happen, I’ll tell you about it, but… I’m not gonna lie to you, Aubrey, you’ll probably find out either way. I don’t have any way to make that less foreboding than it is. That small chance might mean I never see you again. So, uh, here’s to hoping.

That’s all I really have to talk about. I think we’re learning how to use CRISPR next week in my genetics course. I’ll tell you how that goes, and since you keep asking about it, maybe I’ll make some new friends. Talk to you soon, Aubs.

Love you,

Niko Thumis