The Final Tape

Picture Origin - 13 Reasons Why - Netflix

630 Words
Hey! It’s Hannah. Hannah Baker. Don’t adjust your… whatever device you’re hearing this on. It’s me, live and in stereo. No return engagements, no encore, and this time, absolutely no requests … okay, maybe I was a bit hasty on my first tape. I suppose I have a few minutes to spare to say hello one last time.

Time - they say that can heel the worst of wounds. I never got the chance to find out if that statement was true. I’m hopefully speaking to you after an entire year has passed. You know, I’m going to have to pay some Fedex worker fifty bucks to delay sending this out to you. Here’s praying he lives up to his end of the deal, otherwise this tape seems pretty pointless huh Clay?

I’m sending this one and only tape to you Helmet because I want to say sorry for what must have been an extremely difficult year for you. I want to make it up to you. You should find a map with this package. I’m sorry if all this gives you Deja vu, or brings back painful memories but please bear with me.

The map is simple to read - X marks the spot. Don’t expect some treasure or a pot of gold - but rather - expect something I really wanted you to have. Oh, before I forget … grab a shovel; this is going to require some digging.

If this tape reached you when I requested, then you should have turned 18 last week. Happy Birthday Helmet. I considered sending this tape on that day as my little present to you, but how morbid would that have been?

Hannah Baker … the girl who committed suicide. I guess that’s how they’ll remember me? For many, that is all they will know about me. But you knew me Clay. You saw me laugh, smile and be happy. You knew me right? Hmm, to be honest, it’s hard for me to remember a time before any of this darkness entered my life. But I know there was a time and I know you were with me during it Clay.

I do remember one happy day actually. We went to a shopping mall to get you new sneakers because the ones you wore had one too many holes. We ended up spending the money your mom gave you on milkshakes, arcades and an old school photo booth that didn’t work. I loved that day. I wish no day came after it.

Okay Clay, I want you to stop this tape now until you reach the X on the map … I’ll talk soon.

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Hi again. So you should be at Cresmont gardens. The oak tree opposite the lake is where you need to start digging – make sure you dig on the side facing the lake. It shouldn’t require too much digging, don’t worry.
Hey Clay, that perfect day I mentioned earlier in the mall. I lied to you that day. The photo booth did work. When I went to collect the photo whilst you were on the phone to your mom, I noticed something that I hadn’t seen in a long time – happiness. It scared me. I know it sounds stupid but I was embarrassed by how much I was smiling in the photo.
By now, you should be looking at the photo I’m talking about. I want you to have it to remember  one of the happiest days of my life. We laughed so much that day.

I need to go now. Goodbye Clay, I hope you have a happy life … you deserve it.

Ps. I left a message on the back of the photo for you ...

You aren’t every other guy. You’re different. Thank you for being you! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Original link