I'm going to start by saying that I WON'T be going on about how you're all crazy and this thing can't be real and blah blah blah. One of my oldest friends has been basically turned into a living corpse, is missing one hand, and just swallowed a bottle of pills. God knows how she managed to open the damn thing. Anyway, the point is, she's in trouble and I simply don't have time to argue about why. I know how that goes.

Emma is in the hospital right now. She's just had her stomach pumped, and the docs say there shouldn't be any residual effects, besides the psychological ones. What they're not addressing is why, after most of her hair fell out, she started losing teeth. Continuing with my not-being-in-denial method, I've been seeing the guy in the top hat around the hospital, though never directly. Always in a reflection or turning a corner, and he's always smiling. I managed to get one good glimpse of his face so far, and I can tell you two things: the first is that it is in fact Lewis, Emma's old boyfriend. The second is that his demented grin is something unnatural. It's not just a crazy stalker psycho-slasher grin; it's as if his face was stretched. At least he takes care of his teeth, although I can tell you, if I never see them again it'll be too soon.

The nurse says that the hospital is too crowded to allow Emma to stay here for very long, even with her obvious emotional trauma. They say that they can recommend a good psychiatrist, and she'll need lots of friends about her; and if we see Lewis again we should call the authorities, which I don't plan on doing. I know how that usually goes.

There's one more thing I should probably tell you, but I don't want to sound callous about it. I know how much Emma cares for her cats, and nobody's told her yet, but they're - you see? It's hard, in text, not to sound like an uncaring bitch. When me and Sonia showed up at Emma's place and found her laying on the bed with the bottle next to her, we found her cats. I won't disturb you with the details.

Look, I don't know exactly what Emma has done for you or what you've done for her. I don't know, either, how much you matter to her or how much she matters to you. But if you could give her some well-wishes, or say a prayer for her, or even just keep her in your thoughts, I, personally, would really appreciate it.

-Corey

P.S. And don't give me any of that bullshit about "walking away now" and "in over your head." Okay? I couldn't care less right now.