By now, you must be wondering where I have gotten and what fool visions are floating in my head. Time is short and pressing, as it so often tends to be. Rest assured that I have not forgotten you. I miss you so much that it aches in my stomach. I feel the muscles drawn and contract, grown hard as if I have failed to eat for too many weeks.
     I am going to do something stupid, Io. Something dangerous. I cannot talk about it, barely dare even to think about it, breathless and fearing the worst even as I hope to penetrate through darkness. I have to - I must. I ... will try not to die. I want to come back to you, if I can. If it is at all possible, I will. I promise it; you have my word, if you need it, if it is worth anything at all.
     When I return, I will tell you. For now, time grows shorter still, and it runs out, slips through my fingers. I pray that I have not wasted our time, Io, together, that I have not squandered it foolishly, futilely. But I will not know until after this is done. No matter what happens, remember that I love you, even if I do so badly.

     Yours,
     Tiernan