And now I fall (into oblivion)

by orphan_account

Summary:

Set when Atticus visits Helen Robinson to tell her that Tom died, Atticus does more than just tell her that her husband died. He gives her a letter from Tom Robinson, recounting the days up until his death.

OR

The author made shit up just to get a creative writing assignment done because they were absent the day it was supposed to be turned in and panicked :3
!!TITLE FROM OBLIVION BY HALFY & WINKS!!

Notes:

This is only here because I felt silly
That's it
OH and just to be clear the only thing that's my own writing is the letter
If it sucks ass NOT MY FAULT
ALSO:
Idk if Tom and Helen can read/write but for the sake of this let's say they can alr guys

           "Helen, Tom's dead. They shot him. Helen, they shot him seventeen times... They didn't have to shoot him that much, but they did," Atticus sighed. There was a folded piece of paper in one of his hands. He gave it to Helen, saying, "He told me to give this to you in case he..." 
           Helen took the letter, and with shaky hands and the urge not to cry, she opened it and began to read. 

           Dear Helen,

           My love, if you are reading this, it means I have escaped jail—dead or alive. I trust that Atticus will make sure this letter ends up in your hands. 

           It is the night before my trial. I pray that the jury makes the right choice, but we both know how they treat people like us. 

           Atticus has provided the two of us light as I write this. He is standing guard, protecting me. He promises to defend me even after the trial. My love, believe me when I say I did not do what Bob Ewell claims I did to his daughter, Mayella. I pity the girl. Her father put her up to this. That man has mistaken my constant kindness for ill intentions.

           Atticus, the kind man that he is, promises to do his best with keeping me out of jail. What if it doesn't work? What if they send me to jail? Helen, don't worry, my love. I have a plan.

           My arms may be uneven, but my legs are not. During the exercise period, I will run. I will run as fast as I can. Just to get back to you and our children. I swear on my life.
But... I fear it may not work. If it doesn't... and I die... do not cry. Mr. Link Deas promises to help you and our children. Please take care of them. Protect them. Make sure that they survive to live a life free of the prejudice society imposed upon us for being a different skin color. Tell our children that their father loves them and that he'll miss them. I love you, Helen. 

           Take care,
           Tom Robinson 

           Once Helen finished reading, she fell to her knees and sobbed, violently. Tears stained the letter in her hands. The man that she loved, the man she married until death did them part... gone in the matter of days. Helen felt Atticus's hand on her shoulder for comfort. She slowly got up and looked at him, vision slightly blurred from crying.

           Helen took a deep breath, trying to collect herself as she spoke, "Thank you, Mr. Finch. For telling me. For giving me the letter..."

           She rubbed her eyes, trying to rid of her tears. "The Lord has answered my husband's prayers, and mine, of his freedom. It may not have been they way we hoped for but..."
           "...God works in mysterious ways, doesn't he?" Atticus finished for her. Helen smiled.

           As Atticus, Dill, and Calpurnia left the Robinson home, Helen dusted herself off, gently holding Tom's letter in her hand, ushering Sam and his siblings inside the house, wondering how she would explain to them that their father had passed.