On August 17th, 2021, my mom and I got a call from my older brother (the inspiration for my book, The Green Guardian's, protagonist), a young and healthy thirty-one-year-old man, Matthew, who had been through so much in the past few years. He sounded the best he did in those few years. He told us he was excited about returning to Charleston, South Carolina, after many years and spending time with me during my last leg of college. He said he would try to move his girlfriend down to Charleston and was considering marrying her. Mom and I were so happy for him. We told him that we loved him, and then... from out of nowhere, tragedy struck.

Soon after Mom and I got off the phone with him, Matt (who had just returned from a trip overseas for his work) died unexpectedly from an accidental overdose of Fentanyl. Since he suffered from jet lag, he thought he was taking a pill to help keep him awake. Little did Matthew know, it was Fentanyl in disguise. He died within minutes due to a lack of oxygen, but he had no time to yell for help; it happened so fast. The family was not notified until August 18th, 2021, after my brother's friend found him unresponsive on the floor of his bedroom. The coroner seems to think that he collapsed out of his desk chair, which is just awful. My dad was hiking the Appalachian Trail, so the rangers pulled him off and brought him home.

My brother is still here—in the form of Mateo Brook (my book's main character). The Green Guardian is dedicated to him because of how much he suffered in the past few years. I even had plans to give him the first copy when it eventually got published.

My family will get through this (we are strong), but please, guys... Do NOT take drugs lightly! They will take your loved ones from you in seconds. That's what happened to us.

I love you, big bro. In honor of your short life, I will stick The Green Guardian's first published copy on your grave. Rest in peace. I know you are still here and will help us get through this horrible point in our lives.

- Your little sister,

Vika