Haley—

Do you know that you are the best? The. Best. I am so deeply grateful for the LOAN, and I will pay you back, please don’t argue.

But thing is, an internet transfer’s no good.

Q has changed all my passwords. (Hence the new email address.) I’m locked out of all my bank accounts. Embarrassed to say that the only thing good to me right now is cash. This kills me to ask, but . . . can you send a money order, USPS?

Or don’t. Seriously, I’ll be fine. Your friendship is the most important thing. Please never stop writing. I need the distraction. Q has been calling. Ringer is off, but every time I look at the screen there are twelve missed calls, all from the same number.

Can’t imagine his logic. What does he think is gonna happen? That I’ll answer? That he’ll say something that will make me forgive it all?

The scarier thought: He can’t stand me ignoring him. He’ll do anything to get me to respond. He hasn’t thought beyond that point.

Exhausting to think about a life on the run from a man with no concept of cause and effect. A life spent like this,

In hiding,

Alice