Nathaniel had driven for three hours straight, and despite having a good sleep the previous night, his body still felt the exhaustion of the emotional roller-coaster, from the day before.

As they reached the peak of Sierra Madre, the mountain between Santa Perfectura and San Ignacio, the old marine decided for a quick stop.

The Senator and the warden were in deep sleep, unaware of Nathaniel's decision. He chose to park the car beside a small cottage, selling items that were the trademark of the mountain, namely bamboo crafts and wooden carvings. To avoid any questions from the owner, the marine stepped out and bought a pack of biscuits from the store, then respectfully asked if it was okay to park their car within the establishment's grounds. The owner, a middle-aged woman, covered with a thick jacket and bonnet on her head, smiled and gave her permission.

The Sierra Madre was known to have cold weather, being a mountain and all. Nathaniel often deviated from stopping in that particular area whenever he and his wife traveled. But given the condition he was in, he made an exemption.

He shivered as he hastily got back inside his car. When he sat on the driver's seat, Sheldon stirred from his chair gazed at him, and without a word, stepped out of the car. Nathaniel did not miss the letter that was held by the man. The former marine shook his head, knowing it was impossible to talk to Sheldon at that moment, so he leaned back on the driver's seat and closed his eyes to give his tired orbs a few minutes of rest.

Sheldon smiled at the owner of the small cottage, then glanced around. After he noticed that the owner sold coffee and a few snacks, he sat on one of the chairs that were in front of the store, and ordered a cup of coffee and a few pieces of boiled egg, before flipping the letter in his hand. He stared at it a moment longer then decided to read its contents.
***

Dear Maria,

Hi my love, how are you? I have been constantly plagued by horrid nightmares lately, mainly-the years and events leading to that fateful night. Those years were probably my worst.

After I took Albert's life, I steadily became tormented by a barrage of nightmares, things that never happened and things that had. I would wake up drenched in sweat every night, even if the weather was cold. I would often scream during my sleep. I knew I was screaming because I would wake up with an unfinished noise bubbling behind my throat. That was what forced me to find a place far from yours. I slowly descended into madness Maria. I was losing my mind.

It had gotten so bad, that I lost my job at the butcher shop.

I stayed away from you for two months Maria. I forced myself to calm down. It wasn't hard to do. I have always lived like that. Even now, as I seat on this chair, writing this letter, I believe, I'm still battling against sanity.

Am I insane? I can't be certain, but I am tormented.

Do you want to know how I killed your in-laws Maria?

I believe, that kill tested my endurance and determination to see you happy. To free you from the life which anchored your soul in the depths of hell.

I almost got caught.

I was like a poisonous snake, stalking them, loathing, shivering with anger. Their indifference and the pain they've caused you was the venom that slowly poisoned the already stained tendrils of my veins. They forced my hand, Maria. Despite everything I've learned during our time in Sunday School, I had to do it. I believe, that in those days leading up to their death, I was trapped in a limbo of crimson. All I saw was red. The need to kill, dance, and consumed every fiber of my being.

It was the eighth of July when I found the opportunity to feed that need. I followed your in-laws as they shopped for fireworks for an upcoming celebration in your house. They chose an isolated store. It was a kilometer away from the usual places that sold fireworks. Your in-laws were cheap creatures, they wanted to pay less and ended up losing their lives in return. When they did the store owner goodbye and headed for their car. I took a knife and immediately stabbed both of them. I knew the store owner saw me. Luckily, I had a mask on. But it caused an uproar didn't it Maria?

I'm glad that the store owner gave a concrete statement to the police. The fear I had that you will get involved or be suspected of their murder was proven to be stupid. Your name didn't even come up when the investigation was made. If I had known that your pathetic husband won't bother connecting his parent's death to you. I would have killed them sooner.

After that kill. I hid in a town called Solana. It was eight towns away from Marreta. I knew I needed to hide. But the nights remained the same. I still felt like it wasn't enough. I needed to be certain that you will live peacefully.

Your husband needed to go.

Am I confusing you, Maria? We both know what happened that night. But allow me to say, his death was planned, long before that fateful night.

My only regret was Sheldon. I wish he wouldn't have seen that incident. How is he by the way? Is he okay Maria?
***

Sheldon moved his sight away from the letter and took a sip from his coffee. His hands were shivering, but it may have been due to the letter, rather than the cold weather that engulfed his body at that moment.

He kept glancing at the car, hoping none of his companions would wake up and decide to join him. He cannot, for the life of him, speak with anyone just yet.

He had lived a life, plagued with dreams and hate for the mother whom he never knew to have suffered so much. But why didn't he or Valerie see all of those? Why couldn't he remember his father ever acting so cold towards his mom? Yes, there were fragments of memories that were awakened by the letter, but important facts seemed to have drifted from his thoughts. Like the woman whom he thought was his mother's cousin and the months, she stayed with them, acting like she was the mistress of the house. How could he have forgotten that?

In those years when he kept his mother's affection at bay, why didn't those memories come? He could have seen his mother differently; he could have understood his mother more and understood why his mother needed to make that decision. Why she chose to...
***

Maximillian gazed intently at the man seated in front of the cottage. The man seemed troubled and he wanted to step out of the car to speak with him, but when he attempted to do so, Nathaniel suddenly spoke from the front seat.

"Forget about it, I think those letters were meant to be read by him." The old marine murmured before closing his eyes once again.

The Senator frowned. What the hell happened to Maria and her family? he thought to himself.
***

Sheldon cleared his throat, took another sip from his cup, and continued with the letter.

(Letter Continuation)

I'm sorry for revealing this to you my love, but I think, there is no point in hiding everything from you. I have told you everything, holding something back makes no sense, don't you think so? Besides, I doubt these letters will even make it to your hands.

Merry Christmas my Maria! I wish you're happy, wherever you are.

Love Forever

Your Silent Knight.