Page 100 of Every Shattered Note

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Private Message | EchoZone Internal Chat

From: MustLoveMusic

To: AlyEuphoriaEvents

Date: February 27, 2001 11:42 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Are you there?

You shouldn’t watch it.

They’re vultures picking at ghosts.

There’s so much I want to tell you, but I can’t.Not now.Everything’s being recorded, spun, monetized.Every word feels dangerous.

But if it means anything—I didn’t do what they’re saying.

I was there, but I didn’t do it.

And sometimes I think that’s worse.Because I still see it when I close my eyes.

I’m sorry you’re getting dragged into this.I didn’t mean for that to happen.I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.

You were supposed to be safe from all of it.

Anyway, I should go.PR call in the morning.Eddie says to keep quiet.I’m trying.

Thank you for writing back.

You don’t know what that does to me.

—D

ChapterForty

Private Message | EchoZone Internal Chat

From: AlyEuphoriaEvents

To: MustLoveMusic

Date: February 28, 2001 6:02 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Are you there?

You don’t haveto apologize for existing.

Or for being caught in something you didn’t create.

I hate that you’re alone in this.

I hate that I can’t be there to tell you that the world doesn’t get to define who you are.

I know what Eddie’s probably saying—control the narrative, manage the noise, disappear until it dies down.

But please, don’t disappear.

Not from me.

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