You can only blame your problems on the world for so long / before it all becomes the same old song

[A letter is left posted to the noticeboards in a handwriting that hasn’t been seen in a while. The blade (and only the blade) of a rapier is stabbed into the frame.]

People of the Spire.

It’s not me, it’s you. Kinda.
Well, I guess it aint really you, either.

It’s this place. It’s rotting me from the inside out and I can only think of one way to stop it. One way to feel like me again, and not the thing that the Spire made me into.

I have to go.

It started with the Circus - the talent show. It started with the chaos and the fire and the bloodshed, and I don’t even know what happened after that. I just know I withdrew into myself.

There was more than that: the cruelty I’ve seen, the violence. The commander of a squad telling them to leave people to die. Someone I called a friend, becoming a monster. There’s so much I’ve seen, and I can’t sleep anymore.

I don’t want to be what this place wants me to be.

But…there were some good things, too. Some friends I made along the way; people who made me happy.

One of them is coming with me, too. Don’t worry: I’m not gonna be alone.

A few of you are getting letters, but if you knew me well and didn’t get one, I’m sorry. My head’s been a mess for a while. And some people I couldn’t find, so Jackfruit and Snoozy: thank you guys. So much. For everything. You too, Lia.

Maybe I come back someday…but I really, really hope I don’t.

And to the person who made me this blade I’ve stabbed into the wood…I don’t even have any words. I feel like you were my monster to stop. I feel like I’m running away.

Don’t chase me.

With a lot of pain,

Aspen Lea Holloway

OOC: