Letter to a Friend – Complete Text

Official text behind the letter written in the video:

Hello My Friend!

I hope this letter finds you fairing well! No, strike that. I hope you are doing splentastically well! I do apologize for writing you so late, but it is only until now that I have been ale to set aside all distractions and dedicate my time to writing you a proper letter.

So, where should I begin? Well, as you now know, based on the return address on the envelope accompanying this letter, I am now a proud resident of Arkham, Massachussets! Hurrah! The move was a great success and much less trouble than I thought it would be, of course I own but a modest amount of possessions. However, it sure did a number on my anxiety! And I will write more about that further down.

I have been here now for a couple of months and I am finallyjust starting to feel settled in. I am in a nice little apartment on the second floor with a living room that faces the street. I get plenty of sunlight during the day, which is what my psyche needs. However, the building appears to have been built in the 19th century! Its bones rattle and creak with even the slightest amount breeze! Sometimes I think I even hear mice in the walls! Ha! The neighbors have all been nice so far, just like many of the locals that I have crossed paths with.

This place is not at all like our hometown, I can tell you that! It is reminiscent of an old mining town. Many of the people here are poor, and that truly breaks my heart. There are some homes that are well maintained and appear to be owned by affluent folk who most likely own the local businesses. But many of the houses with their gambrel rooftops are unkempt and even abandoned. There are not a lot of jobs available or companies to work for, though I see that they are trying to rebuild some sections of town, so there is hope. Fortunately I was able to land a job at one of the local law firms. It is clerical work, but it pays well enough so that I can pay my rent, bills, and keep food in the fridge while I attend Miskatonic University, which you know is the main reason for my moving here.

I’m still getting my bearings in regards to becoming more acclimated with my surroundings. Trying to remember street names, the different shops and parks in the area, and what not. Everything is in walking distance, although it is quite a hilly region, so one does get quite the work out! My legs are actually aching as I write this! There are a lot of churches here too, moreso than back home. Though I no longer practice and even once abhorred the catholic church during my youth, it is not so much a point of contention the older I get. At least it is quiet on Sunday mornings, and I must confess, no pun intended, that I do rather like the church bells. There is a cemetary right down the road, so in the event that anything were to happen to me, they would not have to travel very far to dispose of my corpse! Ha! The next time that I write you I shall go into more detail about some of the people that I have met, a few of the interesting places that I have been, and the events that have taken place around town.

I will tell you now, however, that there is something not quite right about this place. I cannot for the life of me put my finger on it. There is a strange sense of foreboding in the air at times. Like a storm that is approaching but you cannot quite tell in which direction it is coming because the buildings and trees block your view of the horizon, and eventually the storm passes anyway. I do not like going for walks at night very often, and I do not think I am the only one, because there are not too many people about on the streets past 10PM. There does not seem to be a lot of crime, or moreso than anywhere else I suppose. I do hear the occasional siren of the passing police car, ambulance, and fire truck, but not enough to cause concern. Maybe it is just the downtrodden parts of town that make it seem so unsettling. I am sure it is nothing! I highly doubt this town has some kind of horrid past like Amityville or Salem! It is Arkham, after all! Home to the acclaimed Miskatonic University! But I simply cannot shake the feeling that there is something going on around me that I am just not privy to. Perhaps a secret that the locals will not disclose to outsiders and those that they do not know or trust. Hell, I am sure it is just my acute paranoia that is playing tricks on me!

Lastly, being the sensitive individuals that you and I are, these new surroundings have been doing a number on my anxiety! There is so much to take in and it has all been very overwhelming to my senses. And of course I am still struggling with my depression to boot! I still have those days where I do not even want to get out of bed. But I feel that the move to this town in pursuit of my degree is just what the doctor ordered! And speaking of doctors, apparently there is a state of the art facility at the outskirts of town called Arkham Sanitarium. Depsite the name, it is a place where everyday folks can go to have their minor mental health issues treated. At least, that is what is explained on the ad I saw walking past the bus stop the other day. If my anxiety and depression do not get any better, I think I may just have to check it out. I may just do so anyway one weekend, just for curiosity’s sake! I am rather fond of historic places and grand architecure!

Well, I think that is all for now my friend. I will try to write again sooner and again, I do apologize for taking so long to write you! You know, you should consider joining me up here! I know you are looking for a change of scenery yourself and a new beginning. You should give it a thought, it might be good for you! You could always make a trip up and stay on the weekend I would be more than happy to have you stay a coupld of nights with me! There is a spare bedroom here.
I looking forward to hearing back from you soon!

All my best,
Bill

Share: