The Letter (Narrative)
Bruce made it quick. He didn't want to stick around, that fear would always be right there beneath the surface. He was setting himself up for rejection, opening himself up to pain and suffering but it couldn't compare to anything he had already experienced. Liv deserved better, with or without him.
So, he stood before her doorway, staring blankly at the pristinely painted door. He had one just like it a while back, now he barely used it. It didn't seem to matter now.
He pinned
Liv,
First things first. I want to apologize to you for anything that I said to you that might have made it seem like there was no chance for either of us to be a true part of society.
For a very long time I've lived in a constant state of fear. I was orphaned as a child, my mother lost to tragedy and my father to madness and aggression. I went to live with my Aunt, but that never really helped me get over the loss of people I loved and who I thought loved me. I knew that my mother loved me, she told me every day. My father hated me even before I was a twinkle in his eye.
As I grew, I never was able to shake that fear of losing someone, that deep fear that somehow it was all my fault and that anyone I tried to keep close would just leave and not come back.
Before the accident I wandered through my life and I didn't realize until now just how lost I really was. Sure, I dated a few times, and I was seeing a woman named Betty for a while before the explosion.
After, I couldn't live with myself for becoming what I did and the risk of putting people close to me was too large. I was, and still am, too afraid to let anyone get close. I've never been able to recall much of anything that has happened to me while I'm the Other Guy, so I wouldn't remember it if anyone got harmed. Most of what I know comes from the news stories that follow the outbreaks. It's not something that I'm proud of, either.
I know that reading this is probably a hard thing to do, but if I might, I would like to ask you for forgiveness again. That, and another chance to make it right. You aren't a monster, neither am I. A stranger told me today that when we give up love, only then do we truly become monsters. I can't let myself give up that easily, no matter how afraid I am. You're worth the fight, the fear and the struggle. It won't be an easy road, but if you're willing to walk it with me then I would be honored to travel by your side.
Always,
Bruce.
to Liv's door and after a brief knock the scientist turned and walked away quickly. He didn't want to be there when she got it. Just in case...there he was running again.
He sighed, pushed open the front door to the building and disappeared in to the rain.