Depressed, confounded, and weary with mounting uncertainties of my own, I wandered up the hill away from the skeletal church, wondering if there were any more notes to be uncovered.

 

 

 

I came across an impenetrable thicket. Upon reaching the far side, I saw the ridge of a solitary wall jutting out from the top. On the opposite side, I reeled when I thought I had found my elusive, desperate companion!

 

 

 

I realized, however, that it was only a rotten, soiled blanket. Disregarding the stench of decay, I lay against the wall and pulled the blanket around my shivering body. As I tightened my grip on the shredded cloth, another note fell from the folds, was caught by the wind, and tumbled out of my reach. I crawled after it, grasped it in my trembling hands and crouched down to read the scratched pleas.

 

everybody i ever loved is gone
everything i ever cared for is destroyed
i got nuthin but im still here
why did you leave me?