Dear Maria,

I woke up with tremendous chest pain. The guards brought me to the infirmary for a check-up. They said there was nothing wrong with me. However, I feel like a sharp knife has sheathed itself on my chest. It makes it hard to breathe. When I'm alone inside my cell Maria, all I see are faded colors and endless daydreams. Do I still dream Maria? Yes, I do.

But that makes it all the more difficult. The silent whisper of a joyous dream. Because I'm aware that in my waking hour, all that would greet me are grey walls. The nights tease me with happiness. How cruel it is for the sun's bother to share his covenant with me. Darkness may have befriended my soul but I dare not believe that I should be made fun of by the claws of the star's patriarch.

How are you? I believe Valerie is in her mid-teens now, I hope she's not giving you any trouble. I bet she's just as sweet and kind as you were. Teenagers, I remember when you and I were fourteen. Do you remember that time of your life Maria? I do, I remember mine and yours, just like it happened yesterday.

You took every boy's breath away. Your charcoal hair grew a few inches past your shoulders. Your skin was tanned. I always wondered how you kept the hue. I tried bathing under the sun once. I ended up in a hospital. Why? Because I fell asleep and forgot to put on sunscreen. How pathetic, right?

Maria, there's talk around here. They said a new prison is being erected. Rumors had it, It's a hundred times bigger and better than the one we're in now. I have no complaints about Marreta prison, but they said the entire population of this prison's inmates will be transferred to the new prison, once it's ready. I'm excited. It will feel like getting a new house, a new room with new hopes.

Hope...

Hi, dear, I'm sorry it took a while for me to write anything. And I apologize If I never got to finish what I wanted to say last time. Do I have hope? Do I hope for anything? Yes, I do. I hope you're living a good life; I hope that you're happy, and I hope for your safety. I hope, for you.

Maria? I had a nightmare. I thought I escaped! I was running away from the prison building. I kept glancing back, but no one was following me. It's as if they wanted me to leave. It scared me. I should never leave. I must remain where I am. For your safety and mine as well.

If you're wondering why, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. I can't be with you. Even if I long for it.

Why?

Because you don't know who I am Maria. You've never spoken to me, or glanced at me. But if I had my face back when I was young, maybe there's a chance you would. I don't blame you for not being in my life or acknowledging me. How could I? I have chosen to remain unknown. And even if I did tell you who I am. You will never recognize me. Am I confusing you? I'm sorry if I am. I can't tell you why I did that. I'm sorry Maria, I'm sorry.

Love, the cold months arrived. I'm so cold. The night makes me feel numb, and in the morning, I'm having nightmares while I'm awake. Am I losing my mind? I'm seeing shadows even in a bright room. I hear voices even when everyone is asleep.

Dear? I had another nightmare. I've been dreaming of freedom. I don't know why. I can't believe that I'm craving something which I don't even want to get. Am I going crazy Maria?

Please...

Hi, I'm sorry...

No! I'm tired of sorry.

Why do I have to apologize to you? Why do I have to be here? Why am I not with you? Why did you marry someone else? Why didn't I say anything to win your heart? Why am I such a coward? Why did I choose to lose? Why couldn't I have been born a butterfly full of colors for you to love?

Why did my father have to rob a bank and take me away from you?

Why were we separated? I could've remained beside you throughout your teenage life.

I could have protected you.

I could have stopped the rape.

I could have protected you! I could have protected you! I could have protected you!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Are you surprised? I knew about it. I heard it, and it broke me so much. I blamed myself. I should have been there to protect you.

If I cried Maria, would it help?

It won't, so I did what I had to do.

Maria, I have another confession. I found him. I found the man who turned your eyes dead. The man who took away your innocence. I have avenged you. He had been rotting in hell for years now.

***

"Sick bastard!" Harold spat as he flung the letter into the air. "This guy is a freak, how many has he killed so far?" he added as he took a step towards the warden's desk. He took one cigar and then threw a glance in Mark's direction. He gave an apologetic smile before lighting the tip with a match.

He knew his senior was losing his temper, so Mark picked up the letter and asked the warden if he should continue reading. He thought it would give Harold a moment of reprieve.

However, the warden shook his head and answered, "Let Harold finish the damn thing."

Harold snorted and ignored them for a few seconds before he angrily crushed his cigar and finally agreed to take the letter from Mark.

***

(Letter continuation)

I took his life when I was eighteen. I made him suffer for what he did to you. I won't go into details because I don't want to scare you. But I also paid a price. He shoved a broken bottle onto my face. It deformed me completely.

Now you know why you would never recognize me. Because I have lost the face you knew.

***

Harold once again stopped reading. He released an exasperated sigh then yelled, "This is crap, a whole load of crap. That guy is not deformed. Can't you see, Protacio, we're wasting our time. These letters are nothing but lies, lies, and more lies!"

The warden frowned and finally snapped. Angrily, he retorted, "Enough with your ramblings and get on with it."

Both men was wearing each other down. One adamant to quench his own curiosity, while the other, too detached to find value in their endeavor.

Mark on the other hand felt torn. He never wanted to read 247's letters. He felt like they were intruding on a dead man's privacy. He respected both man in front of him and wanted nothing more but to adhere to each of their needs. However, to do so would probably ofend one if not the other. As his eyes lingered on them, he felt the growing tension about to explode and he had no idea what to do or how to placate the situation if it had gotten out of hand.

"Just tell us what you want to know Protacio!" Harold yelled.

"Dont push your luck, Harold." The warden snapped.

Mark felt trepidation when he saw the beginnings of a fight. So in an attempt to ease both men, he walked between them, took the letter, and continued to read.

***

(Letter continuation)

But don't fret Maria. I didn't live my life as a disabled man. I had surgery and it gave me a new face.

Are you surprised? I bet. Hey Maria, it's Christmas again. It's so cold. I wish the guards would do something about the heater. It broke yesterday and now the entire prison feels like a huge freezer. How about you Maria? Are you and the kids okay? I hope you are. Merry Christmas. Enjoy the turkey.

Love forever
You're Silent Knight

***

Before Mark or Harold could say anything. The warden asked them, "How far will you go to keep your wife safe?"

Mark was the first to answer. "I would kill for her." His words seemed to have shocked him because he took a pause and frowned. He said those words without thinking. It came out, like that's how it was supposed to be.

The warden gave him a warm smile. "Me too."

Harold snorted as he watched his colleagues. He shook his head, then took the fourth letter and shoved it on the warden's chest. "Don't expect me to be all mushy. I ain't got time for this mumbo-jumbo. Get on with the letter."

Warden Protacio gave him a warning look, which completely alarmed Mark. But when the warden's expression softened, took his chair and flipped the letter to start reading, Mark understood, there was nothing to worry about.