Message from Rider’s twin
My beloved twin:
It’s strange writing a letter to someone you have never met, who is nevertheless the most important person in your life. You do not know me, and I do not know you, but I have spent most of my waking days wondering what you might be like. The Tensors discourage us from learning about the outside. But the Slack brings us dreams that they can’t censor. I’ve seen you sometimes, or I think it’s you. You’re a lot older than I am. They don’t let us grow up here. I wonder what you have seen in this world. I know you’re looking for me. That’s why I decided I wanted to leave.
I have so many things I want to say in this letter. So many things I want to tell you about my half-life, submerged in sleep most of the time, confined to pens and never left alone. But these are things I want to tell you when I see you in person.
The Tensors are trying to teach us to control the dreams, but they can’t control us, no matter how much they try. I’m getting better at shaping the world to my whims. I’m not perfect yet. That’s how I got caught. But they can’t hold me here forever.
Sonami is treating me well. She has plans for things I don’t understand yet, things that spread across the breadth of the land and concern the fate of the Protectorate. But you should get out of the capital as soon as possible. You and all of your friends are in danger.
She gave me a name, but I don’t like it. In the long years under the stone, I chose a name for myself: Tau. It sounds nice to me, although I don’t know why. I’d like to use it when we meet.
I hope we get to meet soon. I’m going to keep trying. And I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused. Thank you for not giving up on me.
Your twin,
Tau