Arthur.txt

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"Artie,
By the time I'm done writing this, it's been 5 years. I don't know where you are, but I know you're out there, somewhere. I'm not certain of a lot, I've made so many fucking mistakes in my life but-  I know you're somewhere in this galaxy. I wanted to take you to explore it some day, but I guess it's too late for that. Every damn time I'm outside, and look up to the stars, I think of you. For a long time, I was really worried, but after a while I realized you'd be fine. You are so goddamn smart and strong and brave, I don't think a single damn thing in this galaxy could lay a finger on you. I should have told you that more before you... I'm so sorry.
You know, at first they had me fooled. I was so confused and scared in that doctor's office that all I wanted to do was hug you, hold you close. Me and you, on that hospital floor just fucking sobbing. Those next few weeks were hell. It sounds super selfish and inconsiderate, but the sheer pain I thought that you were going through nearly made me consider ending it all once it was... finished. But eventually, I realized you were never sick; I didn't believe myself, but at one point it all just added up. You didn't talk that fast, you never stood up straight. He was not you. I have no idea who's sick kid that was, but it wasn't mine. Your grandmother sobbed at the funeral, but I didn't have to cry. I knew you're still alive.
At times I wonder how crazy I sound. Only a conspiracy theorist could possibly believe their child was replaced by a clone, right? But things keep lining up. More and more evidence, in front of my face, but nobody I showed it to believed me. Not even my closest friends. I'm a fucking awful man, I know that; everybody in my life has left me for good goddamn reasons, and I felt so fucking alone especially after your mother- but at least I had you. And then somebody took you away, and I don't know why. What kind of personal hell is that? What kind of personal torment is it for somebody's own child, the one thing they hold dear, to be replaced with some caricature? I feel bad for that kid, but his death taught me something valuable. To always keep looking behind the curtains. To always trust your gut.
You're out there, Artie. The life I had with you seems long gone, but nothing can ever be forgotten for good. I'm not crazy, Artie, there's others like me. They know the truth, just like me. You don't just have 11 goddamn 'new and viral' diseases in 1 year. Somebody took you. I may sound like a conspiracy theorist, but all facts were theories at one point. You were the best thing in my life, kid. You're strong, really fucking strong. I hope that I can be as strong as you, that I can find you even if by then I'm ancient. You can show me the galaxy, Artie. Even if nobody else stands with us, we'll be walking side-by-side. The way it always was.
I love you so, so much, Artie. And I'm sorry for losing you."
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Category:The Weekly
Category:Short stories
Category:Underlord1271 Stories