letter addressed to Ashley Magnus

[daredtobelieve]

[Arriving at the end of the week of the attacks, the simple letter and envelope bears no indication of where it came from, but the handwriting on both is unmistakably Helen's.]

My dearest Ashley,

I should start by apologizing. By now, I'm sure you're sick with worry. There many things surrounding my departure that I'm afraid I can't go into, but I can tell you that I am safe and that it hasn't been my intention to worry you or anyone else.

The work we do, the work we've always done has a way of leading us to strange and unexpected opportunities. Right now, I feel as though this is where I need to be. I do not intend for this to be the last we speak. But, for now, I cannot disclose my location. I fear that too many within our organization wouldn't understand my decisions. You may not either. I wouldn't blame you for that. But I hope that you will trust me enough to know that I wouldn't do something like this if I didn't feel as though it were important.

Please let the others know that I'm alright- Gus and Rose especially. My squires Dean and Alisha as well. If Wynn sees fit to reassign them, I wouldn't blame him. Though, honestly Dean has more than proven himself and could easily be promoted if Wynn deemed it appropriate. I'll leave that to his discretion, though.

Ashley, I love you. I hope that you never find reason to doubt that. And I hope that you can forgive me for making a choice that you may not agree with.

All my love,

- H