Dear Gilliam: Sunday Picture Press| IndigoSpider >>Dear John|scribbla

So this originated with the wonderful writing challenge by Indigo Spider: Sunday Picture Press. I encourage you to check it out! I have a few unfinished drafts from the prompts that would really never have existed without the challenge.

That post prompted a letter from Scribbla: “Dear John”. Which you simply must read! At the end he gives us all an open invitation to respond, and although I’m not half the writer, I was in character when I wrote a reply…So here it is!

Dear Gillian,

I will answer you in order of your grievances. I am grieved to hear of your plight. Since you wrote to me I have wondered at your situation’s possibility. But you would not lie to me-there is not reason for it. I have written to my fellow adventurers in the hopes that they have answers for you.

Bessy is safe. She did her job well and I commend her for it. I hope you will not abhor me for using her to deliver my reply. She seems the safest and most reliable way to communication.

I am much saddened by your predicament. It seems unlikely that my information alone will not be sufficient. I will send a team with supplies to your village. I would accompany them, however, the time it would take me to reach you would render the effort pointless.

When you described you friend’s wife and her wounds I assumed they had been cleaned secretly by her husband. However, the incision in her neck is startling. I have not heard of this before but there is only one conclusion I may come to. It may distress you, but I must be frank. The devil is at work in you village. You friend’s wife has either been taken or is a product of his malice.

You have not spoken of her reaction to being discovered, nor her history. Pray, examine those facts. They will point to the truth. I assume that the gash in her throat is a relic of an attempt on her life. It has failed, it appears, and this worries me. If no evidence for her innocence and possibility for her to be saved is found, I implore you to finish the job. The village’s affliction may well be the work of the Devil’s spawn.

In my memory alone I have no knowledge for you. But-as I attested earlier-I have attempted to secure other’s . This is not a case of dragons and cannibals it is mortal danger.

Do not have mercy for the witch.

Yours,

John Mansfield.

PS: Gilliam, I told you that I wrote to my friends about your village’s situation. Today I received a positive reply.

The village in question no longer exists. The only history remaining of it is that of the neighbouring villages. Just as you described, darkness descended upon this village. From the outside, the darkness bled outwards then faded at the edges of their village. They did not receive any pleas for help, nor did they send any of their own. Some lowly farmers reported missing sheep. It was assumed they were lost in the darkness and could not return.

I no longer believe that a rescue team will be enough to preserve your village. Please, try to survive and abandon your scientific interest! If you can find any method of escape, I implore you to make it known to the village at large and evacuate.

I will be travelling with a group of brave priests to your village. I believe  this is the only way to save your souls.

Believe in His power and you will be blessed! I hope to see you again. John.

Feel free to criticise my portrayal of John in the comments 😛

Other replies to the “Dear John” letter:
chesshirecat’s extremely imaginative and intriguing reply
ladynimue’s creepy and surprising version
sparrowsong’s reply was oh so startling!
and Mike’s suspenseful reply got me excited.

I love writers 😛