Final answer:
Chris is likely upset because the 'we're both dead' statement in the letter signifies a metaphorical loss of life, hope, and support, indicating a dire situation like imprisonment and family abandonment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Chris's dad states in a letter that "we're both dead," this is likely very upsetting to Chris for several reasons. It could signify that they have reached a point of desperation where they feel their lives are effectively over, perhaps due to being imprisoned for a crime they didn't commit, as suggested by one of the texts. The use of the word "dead" metaphorically expresses a loss of hope, freedom, or a previous way of life. Furthermore, this scenario ostracizes them from society and their family, which no longer wants to see them, adding a layer of emotional despair as Chris realizes the full weight of their situation with no available support network.