DAY TWO

For years, you and I were safe, simply because the greatest empire the world has ever known was as dependent on water as any primitive culture. But when the Water Wars ended, the military machine went back to previous tasks. My desertion of the machine was once again relevant, and the agency resumed its pursuit.

Caitlyn, I did not regret trading the freedoms of the civilized world for the theocracy of Appalachia. Others may have their memory bank transfers in lieu of vacations, their biological insertions of computer chips to efficiently monitor body functions. They may prefer the constant noise and sensory overloads. I prefer a fire on a starlit night, the sounds of insects like a blanket over us.

I do regret that even the isolated valleys could not keep us safe. Cautious as I was, I underestimated the all-seeing power of Bar Elohim. I only wish they would have arrived a month later. A week later. A day later. Even hours later.

Because I write this as we are on the run, the hounds are never far away, and there is not enough time to finish this letter as it should be written…