Dear Tim,

I’m sorry for not going to the movies and watching horror films with you. You’re my boyfriend so I should feel safe with you. But that is not the problem. Neither are the demons or the scary voices that you jokingly think it’s about. When I was twelve years old, I held my older brother as he took his last breath. I looked into his eyes until they became nothing. His body was pale and blood covered his stomach. That is the reason. The gory special effects bring me back to the day every time you talk about the newest horror flick. I just wish I had the courage to tell you. 

Love,

Hailey, age 19