The warm air blows on my face as I dash down the street. Free, for weeks. I couldn't be happier. Just me, Lily, and my siblings. My big brother isn't gonna bother me so I'm gonna just go ham! Not only will I be able to purify as much as I wish, but I'll also be able to be with my real family! What could possibly go wrong now!?! I can't wait to tell Morgan!

I arrive at Morgan's house, a large, two story house made of brick. I knock on the door. No reply. I knock again. Her car's in the driveway. What's the problem?

I press my ear to the door and hear someone thinking aloud, "dammit didn't he get my texts? I told him not to come! Shit. Well, this was gonna come up sooner or later. OK here we go."

Morgan opens the door holding a...

"Aniexty attack in three," Purity counts down, "two... one..."

"That better be grape juice," I feel fear, aniexty, and concern rise up within me as Morgan turns away, in her left hand a wine glass full of the red liquid.

"Richard," Morgan sighs, "look, we're family, right?"

"Without a doubt," I reply.

"Come in and I'll explain," Morgan opens the door.

I step back, shaking at this point as my aniexty causes nausea. I shake my head and cling to myself. I feel a darkness welling up within me.

"OK this is already going really bad," Morgan sighs

"Don't you realize how bad this is!?!" I demand, "all the health risks? With my phobia I've studied this shit intensely! First of all, it stunts mental development. Second of all, it leads to fourty thousand deaths a year in this country! Countries where the drinking age is younger have way more drunk driving and alcoholism cause drinking under twenty-one makes you thirteen more times more likely to become an alcoholic! You have to stop! Where are your parents?!?"

"Who's there?" I hear Morgan's father call.

"Just a friend," Morgan replies, "I'll be right there."

"I mean," I try to calm myself, "with the amount you should be OK as long as you have self control but it's not worth the risk! Please! Let me help you! I don't want to-"

"Richard," Morgan sighs, "this isn't your problem. Besides, my parents know. They've let me since I was fifteen. They wouldn't do anything to hurt me."

"It's child endangerment at best," I glare, "or a form of neglect. At least tell me you won't do the same if you adopt kids. You're already in danger, but if you're going to put others in danger..."

"Look Richard," Morgan glares, "I get your phobia but this is my choice. Not yours. My mind's been made up since I was fifteen. My parents and I are going to a wine tasting in two days at a winery down the way. Now, are you gonna drop this or-"

It hits me like a truck, "I'm to late."

"What?" Morgan asks.

"You failed her you little shit!" Purity roars, "if you had acted sooner, you could've saved her! Deep down, you knew, didn't you? Not being able to drive, like, ever. Depression getting worse after she turned fifteen, and the hesitation when you asked if she was safe. You knew! YOU KNEW!"

"Morgan," tears stream down my face, "I'm sorry. I failed you."

"Richard," Morgan asks, "are you gonna do anything stupid? Look, just calm down. Don't-"

My vision begins to darken and my heart pounds, creating a tunnel vision effect as all noise is replaced by static. I speak but don't hear, "I only wanted what's best for you. WE only wanted what's best for you. I failed you. We both did. We're sorry Morgan. We're so sorry."

A look of concern appears on Morgan's face as a clutch the sides of my head and cry, unable to move until Morgan grabs my shoulder, causing me to jump back.

"Stay back you impure... impure... aaaaaaaaaggggggggggggghhhhhh!" With a screech I don't make voluntarily make, I dash down the street.

I hear Purity screech, "we failed her Richard! There's no point! Do it! Fucking do it! You're worthless! You never gained value! Never! End your worthless life already so you can stop being a fucking leech!"

I barge into Lily's house and dash to Lily.

I see Lily speak, but I only hear the screeching, telling me the truth. Morgan is gone. They can't be reasoned with. They're impure and it's all my fault! I failed them! I saw the signs! I saw them! I could've saved her! I should've saved her! I can't purify my sister! What's the point of purifying if Morgan is my enemy?!?

"Kitchen," I think my voice shakes, but I'm not sure and everything is fading in and out. I feel like I'm gonna puke. Tears stream down my face, each eye a waterfall. I can't see clearly anymore. It keeps fading in and out. Everything is fading. Fading...

Fading...

"She's in our way," Purity sighs, "we have to die! There's no point! Do it! Do it right now!"

"Shut up shut up shut up!" I attempt to scream, but I'm not sure if I succeed. All I hear is the screeching. All I see is failure. All I am is worthless.

My pulse pounds as my vision flickers in and out to the rhythm. I feel someone grab my arm as the darkness seems to consume everything around me. So dark. So cold. So futile.

I feel myself walking but I can't see where. I'm running. Someone is chasing me. Who? Who us trying to stop me? Do they not understand? It's futile dammit! There's no reason to purify! No reason for anything! Let me die! It's pointless!

"Got it!" Purity exclaims as I feel something I can't see in my hands. A handle of some sort? "Do it! Quick!"

I press the object into my flesh and feel a well deserved, shooting pain. Everything grows clear.

"Richard!" Lily exclaims, "someone! Anyone! Call my private doctor! Now!"

Lily holds me in her arms as blood gushes from my stomach. "Richard," she pulls me in, "Stay awake! Don't fall asleep! It's gonna be OK! Please..."

Lily holds me tight as everything goes dark again. "Richard don't go," I feel tears land on my face, and after that...