invasion of the body snatchers

Dearest Papa,

 

I know you are far too taken by the divine madness to read this. When I’m done writing with a weak and trembling hand, I will consign this message to the fire. May its words find you in the shattered cavern of your mind.

 

I want you to know you raised your youngest daughter well (I can’t vouch for the others, though I have to admit William’s doing well in the vicarage).

 

A body was found a few days ago, victim of a murder. We have no vicar, no priest, no one else devout in the Church. I knew what you would do, Papa: you would place the eternal torment of another soul above your own.

 

I stole the body!

 

After midnight, I dragged it the length of Heterodyne Street, down to the seawall. With the last of my strength I heaved it in, commending his soul to Father Dagon and Mother Hydra. May they accept our sacrifice, fill our boats with fish, and the working girls’ bellies with gilled and scaly babes.

 

I am back home, damp and shivering, at the very end of my strength despite the fortification of far too many cigarettes. But gazing into the fire, thinking of you, I know I did the right thing.

 

Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn.

 

I love you, Daddy.

 

I miss you.

 

Your ever-loving daughter,

Hannah

Done