Dear Mother,

I'm sorry I ran away. I promise I am safe.

It has been a long time since we last spoke and I know you have still been looking for me since I left. I left suddenly and without warning, and I want you to know it is not because any kind of harm befell me. I want to put your minds at ease that I am safe and happy.

I did not know if you would approve of my dangerous choice of career and did not want to lose my one chance to forge my own path. Admittedly, I had also made some connections that I wanted to leave behind.

I can't tell you where I've settled dow———————

[A long line scratches the paper from the half-finished letter 'n', and punctures the paper somewhat at the very end. The paper has been balled up.]