Two Letters
Write two letters to two different people. In one, threaten. In the other, apologize.
Author's Note: Because my brain likes to skip words sometimes, I realized after this prompt was done that it's meant to be to two different people. While I could probably make the argument that the John she's writing to in the first letter (in the future) is different than the John of 1994, I don't think it's exactly Kosher in my mind. So I'll leave this in her personal journal, but it won't be posted to realmofthemuse.
January 22, 2008
Dear John,
If you’re reading this letter, it means we couldn’t stop it. All my worst fears have come true, and the future couldn’t be avoided. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. But know that I tried, not just for the people that were killed when Skynet took over, and not just for the people who will be born into a world run by machines, but also for you, John.
I always wanted you to have a normal life, but how could you? Your life wasn’t normal from the start. Your father… by now, I’m sure you’ve put the pieces together. I’m sure you know who your father was. Is. I’m writing this the year he was born, and if you followed my instructions for once, you’ve already met him by now. I wonder sometimes if all the changes we make change the little things like when two people meet, when they conceive a child, which sperm fertilizes which egg. He told me he was born after the first war, but that first war hasn’t even happened yet. Are his parents even together? Will every moment match up perfectly to make the man that will be your father?
This time travel stuff never works right in my head. I’m too much of a soldier to be able to think like that. You have to understand that I never thought I’d be anything at all but a struggling waitress. I had no goals. I had no plans. I never thought about the future. And now it’s all I ever think about.
I hope you never read this letter.
I love you,
Mom
June 3, 1994
Dear John,
Don’t ever stop. Don’t ever falter. Don’t ever look over your shoulder. Keep going as long as you can. Swim until you die.
I’ll always be with you, but that means I’ll always be watching you. Don’t forget.
And don’t stop.
Mom
Word Count: 314