Ego

Daisy Chen, Canyon Crest Academy, graduating in 26' April 26, 2023

"To Be Victorious and Lost," artwork by Yuri "Ticket" Lee, Del Norte High School, '26

Dear cousin,

January 2, 2023

Haven’t seen you in a while. How’s college life suiting you? Old Pa’s in awe you lasted more than a week. Thought you’d come running back through that door, tail between your legs. Don’t call Jules right now, she’s still fuming at you for missing Christmas. Heard on the news that Ego’s escaped from prison, watch your back while he’s out on the loose.

Dear cousin,

January 13, 2023

I’m glad to hear that you are alright. Ego got spotted around the New York Subways. Shoved a woman right down the tracks. Hands covered in grime and blood, laughed the whole situation up, that bastard. Stay away from Subways, eh?

Dear cousin,

March 9, 2023

Cheers from Florida! Hope that you are doing safe and well. We are doing all right, as well as we can be with Ego still out. Auntie tells me to tell you to look out for him, says he’s a sneaky fellow. Carry a pepper spray in your bag or a switchblade if that suits your fancy.

Seems that everytime I peek at the news header, Ego rears his ugly head. Not too fond of disguises, is he? I’ve always thought subtly to be a good virtue.

Dear cousin,

June 25, 2023

For the better part of a month Ego caught up with Jules. A particular nasty blender ending in a car crash off 75, the police say that the traffic stretched until Old Pa’s farm.

The folks also say that they saw Ego behind the wheel, steering straight into a lampost. I dunno what they're gonna do about Jules, last I heard of her she was in jail and Ego walked free.

Dear cousin,

September 1, 2023

Don’t rely on that smartphone of yours so much anymore, eh? They say Ego’s watching you through that camera. Not so bad of an idea anymore to tape up those lenses. Youngster Benny fell off a roof with a camera pointed at his face. I ain’t there but I reckon he was pushed by Ego.

Dear cousin,

September 29, 2023

I pray that Ego’s not found you yet, he’s been lurking everywhere. I gag a little every time I think about Mami. Thought she was higher than god and got greedy. Spent all her money and jewelry and a brand new car. When the money drained out, all she could do was file for bankruptcy.

Dear cousin,

November 17, 2023

Sometimes I get paranoid that he’s already behind me. Like some sorta stalker. Do you get that feeling?. Like he knows what I’m doing, like he knows what I want. I gotta remind myself that he ain’t in this house, he ain’t in this house, he ain’t in this house-