CHAPTER TWENTY
Jacob
After a grueling day of training, we are finally let go and we head to our barracks. These past few days have been exhausting but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thinking of my family and Anya get me through it. It also helps that I have made some great friends here. As we are all piled into the barracks, a drill sergeant comes in and shouts “Mail call!”. It’s my favorite time, I’ve gotten letters from my mom and Marissa, I’m still waiting for ones from Anya. She said she would write me but not having received one yet has made me nervous. What if she changed her mind and doesn’t want to live the military life with me? What if she is hurt? What if she found someone else? The latter is less likely given that she was hesitant to even go out with me not too long ago, but the question still remains. Why haven’t I received a letter yet?
“You good, bro?” Jackson asks.
“Yeah, it’s nothing man” I reply but I can tell he’s not buying it.
“What’s up?” Damien chimes in.
“We’ve been here a couple of weeks and I haven’t received a letter from Anya yet and –“
“It’s probably because she fucking some other dude” a guy named Alvarez snarks.
“Dude shut the fuck up!” Damien says.
“Say that the fuck again?” I snap up to my feet but quickly calm myself.
“Yo chill man, don’t listen to him!” Jaxson rushes to his feet as well, not wanting to see things escalate….just yet, “He’s just mad because his girl cheated on him and now only his momma will love him” Jaxson chides with that distinctive smirk he quickly became well known for.
Alvarez stands up, ready to answer the rebuttal with his fists but then the drill sergeant starts calling out names for mail. Realizing our surroundings and that discretion may be the better part of valor, everyone returns to their seats.
“Private Sullivan” he calls out and I get up to grab the letter. Then my name is called again and again and again. The guys all laugh and catcall as my name is called another 2 more times. “Private Sullivan, you’re quite the popular one” the drill sergeant mocks as he hands me all six letters. I look them over and one is from my mom, one is from Marissa, and the rest are from Anya.
I sit and I open the first letter from Anya,
“Dear Jacob,
I hope you are doing okay, school is going slow, but it’s good overall. I’m pushing through the workload, and I can’t wait to be done so I can have more time with you. Nana and Pops are doing well, by the way. They say hi and send their love. They always ask about you and can’t wait to see you again.
I wanted to let you know that I went to the authorities about the stalker situation. I’m handling it, and they’ve been supportive. I’m being careful, so please don’t worry too much. I miss you so much, Jacob. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think about you and wish you were here. I can’t wait until we’re together again.
How’s Army training going? Is it what you expected? I know you’re giving it your all, just like you always do. I’m so proud of you and everything you’re doing. Just make sure you’re taking care of yourself, okay?
I love you more than words can say. The distance is hard, but it only makes me cherish you even more. I am counting down the days until I can see your face and hold you close again.
Take care, my love. I’m always thinking of you.
All my love,
Anya
Letter 2
Dear Jacob,
I hope this letter reaches you on a good day. Today was pretty eventful! Lana and I had another self-defense class, and I have to say, we’re getting better at it. It’s nice to feel more confident, especially with everything that’s been going on. Plus, it’s a good way to blow off some steam after long days at school.
I miss you so much, Jacob. Every day feels a little emptier without you here, but I keep telling myself that we’re getting closer to being together again. I’m counting down the weeks, and I’m so ready to see your face and just be with you. It feels like forever, but I know we’ll get through this.
I’ve also been planning a visit to your mom’s farm during my next school break. I think it’ll be good to get away for a bit and spend some time with her. I know she’ll appreciate it, and it’ll give me a chance to feel connected to you in a different way. I’ll make sure to help her out with whatever she needs while I’m there.
I love you, Jacob. Can’t wait to hear from you soon. Stay safe and strong, okay?
Always yours,
Anya
Letter 3
Jacob my love,
My body aches with desire as I lie naked…
“Ummmm…say what now?!” I think to myself as I let slip an audible gasp which draws the attention of Jackson who raises a smirk which makes me roll my eyes before returning back to the letter. Now…where were we?
My body aches for your touch as I lie naked in my room. The memory of your hands on my skin, gripping me tightly and igniting a fire within me. As I close my eyes, I can almost feel your touch once again, tracing circles over my nipples and sending shivers down my spine. The thought of your hands roaming over my body, goosebumps prickling my skin, and feeling your breath tickle that sensitive spot on my neck. I long for the nights we spent together, our naked bodies moving in perfect synchrony, your cock filling me so deep. The way your lips trailed kisses down my neck, igniting a wildfire of need within me.
I sit on my bed surrounded by other men and reading Anya’s third letter has got me looking around the room making sure no one notices what is going on under my shorts.
My mind wanders to that night in the field where we made love under the stars, away from the world's prying eyes. The crackling fire casts a warm glow over us, as if the flames mirrored the passion that consumed us. The way you stared into my eyes, made me feel cherished and desired in ways I had never known before.
I remember the way your fingers traced patterns on my skin, leaving a trail of heat that sent me spiraling. The taste of your lips on mine, a sweet intoxication that I could never get enough of.
As I sit here in my room and close my eyes, I relive each sensation, wishing you were here to make them real once again.
My body trembles at the thought of feeling you inside me, my walls clenching around your cock as you thrust relentlessly, taking me to the edge of ecstasy and beyond. I play with my clit, imagining it’s your fingers driving me to the brink of my orgasm. I insert my fingers inside my folds and imagine your cock thrusting deep within me.
I can’t wait for the day when we can be together again, Jacob. I need to feel your touch again, to scream your name when we have sex, and to be wrapped in your arms once more. Until then, I will hold onto every letter you send. I will wait for you my love.
Always yours,
Anya
“Daaaaaamn bro, your girl gettin’ her 50 Shades on!” Jaxson's voice chirps in from behind me, making me jump, and causing him to bust up laughing.
“Dude! Boundaries!” I reply with a witty tone.
Jaxson raises his hands in surrender “Hey, no one said you had to read the ‘ word porn ’ ” he jokingly says back.
“Shut up man! You’re just jealous your girl didn’t write you some ‘ word porn ’ ” I tease.
“Man whateva” he says with a smirk then heads back to his bunk and I open the last letter from Anya.
Dear Jacob,
I don’t know how to start this letter without worrying you, but I need to tell you what’s been happening. Things have gotten worse with the stalker, and I’m honestly scared, Jacob. The notes are getting more disturbing, and it feels like whoever this is knows my every move. I don’t know how much more I can take.
The police… they’re doing what they can, I guess, but it feels like they’re moving so slowly. Every day that goes by without them catching this person makes it harder for me to feel safe. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for something else to happen. It’s exhausting, and I’m just so tired.
Lana has been incredible through all of this, but even she’s starting to crack. She’s grumpier than usual, snapping at little things because she’s scared too. I can see it in her eyes—she’s just as terrified for me as I am. I hate that she’s caught up in this mess because of me, and I don’t know what to do to make things better.
I miss you so much, Jacob. I keep wishing you were here because I know you’d know what to do. I don’t want to sound weak, but I’m really struggling. I’m trying to stay strong, but it feels like I’m losing control, and I don’t know how to stop it. I hate that I have to put this on you while you’re away, but I don’t know who else to turn to.
Please, just keep me in your thoughts. Knowing you’re out there thinking of me helps more than you know. I love you, Jacob, and I’m counting down the days until I can be with you again, when I’ll finally feel safe.
Yours,
Anya
My hands tremble as I read Anya’s letter, the words blurring together as this wave of helplessness and anger hits me. Every instinct in me screams to drop everything, get on the first flight home, and protect her myself. The thought of her being scared, feeling unsafe—it tears at me in ways I can’t even begin to describe.
I read her words again, my jaw tightening with each line. How the hell can the police be dragging their feet on this? Anya’s strong—I know that better than anyone—but even the strongest people have their limits. The thought of her, terrified and vulnerable, makes my heart ache. I can almost hear the tremor in her voice, see the fear in her eyes as she wrote this.
Frustration boils inside me. Here I am, miles away, training for situations like this, and I’m completely powerless to help the one person I love the most. I want to smash something, scream, anything to release this anger. But I know none of that will help her. I need to think clearly.
Lana’s reaction worries me too. If she’s starting to crack under the pressure, it means things are really bad. The idea of both of them suffering like this is unbearable. But what can I do from here? My mind races through the options. Can I get leave? Will they even grant it? If not, how can I help from a distance?
One thing’s for sure: I can’t leave Anya to face this alone. I have to be her rock, her protector, even if I can’t be there physically. That means finding a way to push the authorities to move faster, maybe even contacting someone on the inside to speed things up. I’ll make sure she’s safe, no matter what it takes.
As I sit here, clutching her letter, I silently vow to find a way to help her. We may be far apart but I will do everything in my power to make sure she feels safe. I don’t know what that will be yet, but I will figure it out.