I chose to make Van refer to Markus as M1k3y because as mentioned in the book, he felt as though the two were two different people now and M1k3y is the one who wants to start a revolution so it’s almost as though Van is trying to stop M1k3y and not Markus.

 

All letters:

Marcus,

 

Please stop. You know that what you’re trying to do could hurt many people, including yourself. I don’t want to have to sit here and watch as you dig your own grave. By going against the government of an entire country you are not only putting yourself on a wanted list but you’re putting anyone who knew you on it too. Jolu, me, your family. And Darryl. All of us are going to be affected if you start this with the DHS. You got out of there alive, don’t go running back trying to hack into their walls. You haven’t even gone through the worst. Trust me. I care for you too much to let you do what you are doing.

 

Van

 

Van,

 

I don’t see how you don’t want to fight back. You went through the same thing I did, and it was absolute hell. Even if it wasn’t the worst, if we don’t fight back that’s what we will be getting either way. This isn’t the Van I know and became friends with. Where’s the Van who wanted to mace a man on the street when a bomb had just gone off? Where’s the rebellious Van who would ditch school to play Harajuku Fun Madness? That’s all you have to do Van. Rebel, fight and win.

 

Marcus

 

 

Marcus,

Stop. Don’t act like I’m the one who changed. Those instances were small. Do you think I would have tried to mace a police officer? Or the president? Would I ditch school if it were to do something illegal that isn’t a game? Because I don’t know if you noticed but this isn’t Harajuku Fun Madness anymore. This is real life, and the Marcus I know doesn’t live as though life were a game. You just barely escaped Treasure Island, you had no power against them. What makes you think that you can go against them yourself? There’s a reason I don’t want to help you with this, and if you can’t see it, then I honestly don’t know what to do.

Van

 

Van,

So what? I can’t see why you don’t want to help me. Maybe it’s because there is no reason you don’t want to help me. Or maybe it is because you changed and you don’t want to admit it. You used to always fight back, why stop now? Or are you just scared. You know we need to stop the DHS, you just don’t want to get hurt. Don’t lie to me.

Marcus

 

M1k3y,

Stop. JUST STOP. Stop saying I changed. Stop acting as though I’m scared. Because I’m not. I’ve said it before and I will say it again. You’re digging your own grave M1k3y. I’m done with you. I refuse to sit here and watch you do this to yourself. You can do whatever you want. Do it with Ange. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Van

 

 

 

Don’t. Call. Me. M1k3y.