[Pixel]

It is the dead of night...

You are comfortable in your bed, dreaming dreamy dreams, when the postbox seems to rattle, and stir you from your slumber.

Groggy, and confused at who would deliver a letter at this late hour, you get to your feet and slowly make your way towards the door. An immaculate letter rests beneath the mail slot, the address and writing too difficult to make out in the dimly lit room. You reach down to pick the letter up, and try to squint in order to see the letter's sender. The envelope seems to be signed, but in your half-awake state, you can hardly process how the letters function together.

Yawning, you return to bed, and open the letter.

Dearest friends,

Don't you worry about me, it's dark and empty up here, but I'll be waiting for you. My wounds are still present, but they don't hurt anymore. Fate is a cruel mistress, that will snatch you up from your life and cart you off at the drop of a hat. Take comfort in knowing I did not grovel or plead, or leave your world undignified. As I lived, I faced death with a grinning face, and fire in my heart. I shouldered burdens that I never spoke of, feelings that never blossomed, of them I am finally free.

And so are all of you, of me.

My recklessness probably hurt you more than it did my enemies, and in my final moments, I realized this. As you read this letter, imagine I'm right there with you, because I will be with you, all of you, as part of the land. You'll find me in every solemn boulder in the field, every flourishing garden, every ant hill and mountain, for the earth and I are finally one.

Be strong.

Go forth with courage.

I'll be waiting on the other side.

As you read the letter, you swear it is narrated to you by a woman's voice. It sounded so familiar, as though it were someone you once knew.

Before you can process what you had just read, your eyes open, and you find yourself soaked with sweat in your bed.

You look around for the letter, rubbing your eyes with confusion.

Despite your thorough efforts, you are unable to locate the letter.

Was it a dream?