Ai, Read this one alone. I'm not sure I can be here. I didn't know... What they're asking of us is...it's cruelty, Ai. Anyone who disobeys, anyone who shows sign of the affliction...anyone not human... They tell us that we're purging a sickness from the empire, that we're securing our home for generations of peace. That we're bringing order to a lawless land. This isn't peace. This isn't order. It's murder, Ai. I'm not a murderer. I can't do this. Hyo-Sonn and I are planning to leave. We think we can break away from the main force during the raid and make it to the coastline. If we follow the coast north, Hyo-Sonn says there's a small fishing village her grandmother took her to when she was young. She thinks we can find safe passage there. A way back home. I suspect this will be the last letter you receive for a while. Stay strong. See you soon. —B