Ms. Reynolds was not an agreeable woman, and Marine's stubborn streak shown strongest when the two got into it. On a visit that was supposed to celebrate Marine's graduation from University, the two broke into an explosive argument about her future plans. As usual, I stayed on the sidelines like a coward while they debated over who had the right to choose Marine's path in life and who had made poorer choices along the way. Shouting and crying, Marine stormed out of the Vault. She didn't even say goodbye.

It took me very little time to realize what I had lost. It took me much longer to feel the weight of it. You read enough books and you realize all have some sort of cliche ending; lovers live happily ever after, there's a clumsy plot twist, things don't work out and someone is left alone, everyone dies (those are my favorite). But my life just kept going.

Years passed, so many that I stopped counting. I stopped counting time entirely.

Professor Smith would visit occasionally and keep me company, even when the Vault was essentially closed. He'd explored the world and told the best stories. He even told me his real name, from before. It was a secret between the two of us. I confided a lot in the professor, though I think he knew how I felt about Marine long before I could bring myself to say it out loud. The first couple of times he visited after she left he did a lot of listening. The professor was kind enough not to share his advice. I know now it would have been more bitterness than wisdom.

Ms. Reynolds was getting old. I offered to help with the Vault. It was high time I pulled my weight. I knew the place better than anyone alive. Ages ago the collection had outgrown the old record system so we decided to start from scratch. I ventured to every corner of the Vault, exploring floors I hadn’t set foot on since I was a child. Ms. Reynolds modernized the index, cataloging everything. Having a purpose was the best thing that could have happened. I gained enjoyment in life, and in myself and stopped worrying about what I'd lost. However, I was no replacement for Ms. Reynolds. Despite training with her for what seemed like forever (doing anything with Ms. Reynolds seemed like forever), I couldn't manage the Vault's meager staff. No one took me seriously. I just didn't have the talent or the wisdom of the outside world (since I quite literally never left), and it frustrated her. I could tell Ms. Reynolds was done with the Vault.

That's when I found the letters.