[tape recorder crackles to life]
Lorie: I found these letters–
Henry: You shouldn’t be in here, you’ll get in so much trouble–
L: –they’re addressed to you, Henry!
H: [pauses] …what?
L: Look! [holds them out] They’re all addressed to you, from London!
H: …I don’t know anybody in London.
[recording ends]
[recording starts up again]
L: What does it say?
H: …none of this makes any sense.
L: What does it say, Henry?
H: Are you recording this?
L: …no.
H: You’re a really bad liar.
L: …you don’t have to tell me what they are if you don’t want to.
H: No…we should have this on record. Just in case.
L: Just in case…[waits a beat] so?
H: [takes a breath] Right. Here goes, then.
“My darling s–” [clears his throat] I got it, I can do it…

Siofra: “My darling son. It’s been a month since we sent you away. I know you’re far too young to read this, but I am hoping against hope that the few friends I still have will give this to you when you are old enough to understand why I had to do what I did.
“The worst of the bombing over London is coming to an end, or so they say. The city is slowly regaining its colour. I wish you could be here to see it, I know you would scrunch up your little face in confusion at the lack of ash in the air. It is horrible to think that the vision of London you have in your mind should be so bleak. What am I saying? Of course, you will not have any visions of London. You’re still only a baby.
“Perhaps it is for the best. I wish I could forgive the events of what they are calling the Blitz as easily as you surely will. One of the kinder qualities my brethren possess is their ability to smooth things over, to straighten out memories as if they are merely rumples in fabric, steaming them away as if they were never there. To some, it may seem an intrusion, but there are moments when (forgive me) I do wish I, too, could forget the month leading up to me giving you up. I wish I could refer to it as anything else, but I did, I gave you up and I cannot quite bring myself to be sorry because I think you will be better off. I hope and pray you may be.
“As I said, there are times when I wish I could forget, specifically, your father’s death. But if I had the choice to, I’m sure I would not. Painful as that day was, the love I had for your father was all-encompassing enough that the years I got to spend with him are worth the worst day of my life. If I could, I’d live it all over again and make the exact same choices I did and my heart would break in two again when I lost him, but it would be worth it.
“Giving you up was the right choice, but I fear it will never be worth it. I miss you so much, darling. I hope you know that and I hope you can forgive me.
“With love, Mum.”

H: [long pause] …that doesn’t make any sense. 
L: It sounds like it’s from your birth mum.
H: Yeah, obviously, but what’s she talking about, the Blitz?
L: I think that was when London got bombed during World War II, wasn’t it?
H: Yeah, but…I can’t be from then. That doesn’t make any sense, I’m only twelve, what does she mean she sent me away a few months before it ended? And what’s all this about her “brethren” who can erase memories?
L: Maybe she means that as a metaphor…then again, maybe…
H: Maybe what?
L: Maybe she doesn’t. Henry, the ledger says you arrived in April of 1941 and then the letters…wait.
H: …what?
L: There’s a letter that isn’t addressed to you. I thought they all were since they’re in a stack and the top one was, but this one just says “The Ring” as the address.
H: “The Ring”? Can I see? [opens it]
L: Read it out.
H: Alright, give me a moment.

Siofra: “Brother. You probably aren’t thrilled to hear from me again and I understand. The terms on which I left our family were less than cordial and I’m sure you’d washed your hands of me. I won’t apologise, but I do empathise. It’s hard to have someone you care about turn your back on you.
“I am writing now to ask you for a favour. The man I married is gone. I’m sure you will be pleased to hear that.
“Perhaps that is not fair, but I am not in the mood to be fair. The human world is falling apart around me and I have a son to worry about all on my own now. My son is the only reason I am asking for your help, since I’m sure you know I would be too proud to do so otherwise, but Henry is only a baby and he does not yet understand the minutia of our politics. 
“It’s pointless to beat around the bush. I’m asking you to take him. As horrifying as I find your little town, it is safe from the bombings. I cannot lose Henry the way I lost his father. It would break me, so I am asking, I am begging you to help me if you still care about me at all.
“Henry is still your kin. Our blood runs through his veins and I’m sure that your hatred for his father will not affect your opinion of him. I know you are not as vindictive as that. Brother, please. He is your nephew. Set aside our fights and the way I left things and be the just man I know you to be. Let him live a happy life, let him be safe, and, in return, you’ll have another part-human child. I’m sure you would involve him in your schemes even if I begged you not to, but I am begging you not to hurt him. For me.
“Sincerely, Siofra.”

H: [whew, whining] This is getting so weird, Lorie!
L: …she keeps saying ‘human’...as if she isn’t.
H: …what else would she be?
L: I’m not sure…and why did she say the town is horrifying? Because we can’t l–
H: We should head back home. My mums– [heavy pause] They might be worried by now.
L: Henry, we can’t just go, we have to talk about this.
H: What’s there to talk about? If this is somehow from my mum, she gave me up, she says so herself.
L: Yeah, because she wanted you to be safe.
H: And she didn’t tell me anything. She knew her brother or whoever probably wouldn’t pass along her letter and she didn’t use any other way to make sure I’d get the information, so she just left me with these people in this town with no clue what really happened. And I’m from the forties now!?
L: Henry…
H: No. It’s too early in the morning for me to deal with this now, I…I can’t. Leave it alone, Lorie. We’re going back.
L: Henry, come on–
H: We’re going back, now.
L: ….a-alright.
[recording ends]
[recording starts up again]
L: Henry took the letters home with him. He said we could talk about it more tomorrow, but I think he’s hoping I’ll forget.
Unfortunately for him, I have an excellent memory. I haven’t forgotten a single thing that’s happened since I arrived. 
[pause] I understand that it’s a lot for him to process. I really do. But I…I need to figure out what this town is and Henry’s mum’s letters are the best lead we have right now. If I figure out what the town is, then maybe…
Maybe I’ll be able to figure out why I’m here.
But Henry probably won’t talk to me about it, so…I need to find somebody outside of town. And since I can’t leave, the closest thing I can get is somebody from over the moors, which means…
Tomorrow, I’m going to find myself a witch.
[recording ends]
Outro: This episode of Into The Ring stars Olivia Spreen, Thomas Malinovsky, and Rose Madsen. It was created by Thomas Malinovsky and Olivia Spreen. It is written by Thomas Malinovsky and edited by Olivia Spreen. Cover art is by our friend Nick, you can find them on Instagram at @nickick._ Music is from Epidemic sound. Special thanks to Val Zvinyatskovsky. Thank you for listening, be careful during your next case of breaking and entering. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone, we’re not a cop. Until next time, welcome into the ring.