In Trench I'm Not Alone

So I Sing

Tyler really didn't have anything better to do with his time but to read the letters that were most likely a threat, and he was almost glad to have a distraction, even a worrisome one.

Sorry for the last message being so cryptic, I promise you're not in any trouble. I had to make sure the right person got it, the vulture, his name is Clifford, he's not very well trained, but he's cool so we keep him around. Next time he's going to bring you some paper and a pen, it would be super awesome if you could send a letter back to let me know if this system is going to work. Stay safe, stay alive. Sahlo Folina.

"You came from Trench, right?" Tyler looked up, directing his question at the bird.

It didn't answer, instead taking off into the sky and disappearing into the horizon, headed East, the direction Tyler's window was pointed.

True to the letter's word, Clifford appeared the next day with a small bundle of papers gripped in his claws.

He flapped into the room, settling himself on top of the wardrobe, his yellow eyes narrowing sleepily, his feathers puffing out around him.

"Aw, you're kinda cute." Tyler felt himself starting to smile as he watched Clifford for a moment before returning his attention to the paper.

There wasn't a note this time, and apparently Clifford was waiting for him to compose his own letter. Oh well, he thought, it didn't really matter if whoever he was talking to really was planning to kill him or not, he was already locked up. The dread in his stomach had almost fully faded into a dull sense of curiosity instead that had him picking up the pen.

Having a penpal in this economy is crazy, you know that, right? Why'd you choose me, out of all the other prisoners? And using a vulture is even crazier, but I do like him. He's cute, thanks for letting him into my world. Who are you and what is Sahlo Folina?

Tyler chewed on the end of the pen, trying to decide if he should add more of the questions he had, ultimately deciding that three questions was good for now, he wouldn't want to overwhelm whoever it was that he was writing to.

He rolled up the note tightly, tucking the rest of the paper he had gotten, along with the pen, under his mattress, where the other two letters had gone.

"Clifford," Tyler called quietly, holding the letter up to the large bird. "Here, will you take this?"

The bird let out a polite hiss, taking the note before flying out the window with an explosion of feathers.

***

I'm the Torchbearer. Don't worry about Sahlo Folina just yet, it will be important later but not right now. And trust me, I'll get into why I chose you later. My turn for questions, how do you like your new room?

I don't think it would take a genius to figure out my opinions on my living situation, unless you're asking because you're the reason I'm in here, in which case I'll have to kindly ask you to stop contacting me.

Don't worry, I'm not the reason you're in there. I was asking as a security measure, I want to make sure I can trust you. It would be super lame if you ended up being a total suck-up to the Bishops.

On another note, what's your name, for future reference?

I'm Clancy. And in your words, trust me, I want the Bishops gone.

Alright Clancy, that's awesome. So do we. Do you remember us?

Why would I remember you? I don't even know who you are. Also, what do you feed this bird? Because he really wants some of my food, even though I keep telling him that he can't have it because it's the one thing I get to eat today. Feed him better or something.

He's just like that, you can push him away, it's fine. Sorry, I hope you didn't give him anything, because he doesn't need it. I assumed you would remember us, I remember you for sure. Kinda hard to forget you, to be honest.

Where would you know me from? I guess unless it was put on the news that I had escaped or something, but from the way we're communicating I'm kind of inclined to think that you're not from the city.

I'm from the city, but I don't live there anymore. Strange that you don't remember us, but oh well, stranger things have occurred. What's your thoughts on escaping?

This room, the city, Trench, what would I be escaping? Not that that matters, I guess, I'd honestly like to escape it all, everything. Ideally.

In this context I'm talking about the city. Remember, East is up. I can come rescue you soon, unless you're ok where you're at.

Ignoring the cryptic message and riding on the hope that you're not about to brutally murder me the second I agree, I think I'll have to say yes. Really bad things are about to start happening to me if you don't get out of this room and that statement really doesn't have anything to do with the Bishops.

Be there shortly.

Sahlo Folina.