"Still alive?" A voice demands.

I once again awaken in the field with the tree, from which Morgan glares at me.

"Quiet for a week and now this?" I sigh, "what do you want?"

"Blood," Morgan chuckles, "you failed me. I'm gone. You're to slow. You're to weak. Force the world to change? Fat chance. You couldn't even save me. You had one chance and you blew it. You deserve to suffer. You know you do, so, go suffer."

Morgan tosses me a knife, and this time I catch it cause, she's right. I failed her, and I must pay. I press the knife to my wrist.

"Do it!" Morgan screams, "cut it! CUT IT. CUT IT!"

I obey, if only to give my sister what she wants and slit my wrist. I feel a shooting pain and wake up, standing in the kitchen with blood dripping from a cut on my wrist. I quickly cover it with my jacket and go back to Lily, an intense guilt and sense of worthlessness within me. Morgan, I failed you. I'm so sorry...

"That's enough for one night," Purity comments, "we can't have Lily catch on. Back to sleep."

I snuggle Lily on the couch and feel the blissful feeling grow as I doze back off...

"Wait wake up!" Purity exclaims, snapping me back awake, "you gotta clean the blood!"

"Wait," I reply, "shit, you're right. Let's go."

I get back up and sneak back into the kitchen. Let's see, cleaner. I need cleaner. Let's see, under the sink maybe?

I find a bottle of bleach. "Ah ha!" I exclaim, "perfect!"

"Gonna drink it?" Purity asks.

"No we're gonna clean," I reply applying the bleach to a paper towel and wiping the blood off the floor as cicadas chirping fills the air. However, when I bend over, the cut in my stomach sends a shooting pain up my spine and it stings like Hell. However, I endure it, biting my jacket as not to scream, and finish cleaning the blood. I slowly rise back to my feet, breathing heavily, and supporting myself on a nearby table. The pain in my stomach is intense, and the second I try to lean off the table, I can feel my legs giving out.

"What's our plan?" Purity demands.

"We just gotta tough through," I reply, "my cane is in the next room. Just gotta get to it."

"About that," Purity replies, "won't she notice the cane moved?"

"Well what do you suggest?" I demand.

"Check your wound," Purity replies.

I pull up my shirt to look at the massive gash across my stomach, stitches hold it shut. Looks like it's holding itself together.

"It hurts but it's not reopening," Purity smiles, "we can tough through. Just get back to the living room."

I nod in response and slowly rise to my feet, sending a searing pain up my spine. Each step sends a painful shockwave through my body until I finally reach the couch, tears streaming down my face. I need help, but if I wake Lily, she'll get mad and accuse me if lying about cutting. So, I bite my tounge and endure the pain. I hold Lily in my arms, her soothing warmth makes everything feel OK as I nod off and return to my slumber...

"Morning cutie," Lily smiles.

I feel the pleasant feeling as I reply, "morning Lily."

"Ready to go?" Lily smiles.

"Where to?" I ask.

"Cool Cat Waffles!" Lily exclaims, "you silly little rascal. We gotta get you out of the house. It's good for you. Besides you'll finally be able to talk to Bertha."

"Can't we just stay and be cuddle buddies?" I ask, "I like being cuddle buddies."

"Oh Richard," Lily touches my cheek and smiles, "you are so so cute. I lo-"

Lily catches herself and changes her sentence, "I really care about you, but we agreed we take turns. You've been able to leave for about a week now, but I agreed to be just your cuddle buddy when I'm not at work. It's my turn."

"That's true," I reply, "get my cane."

Lily smiles at me and leaves the room.

"Hey Richard," William greets, walking into the room drinking coffee.

"You're still here?" I ask, "I thought you only came to check on me every other day."

"I decided to stay the night," William smiles, "how you feeling kiddo?"

"Great actually," I reply hiding my arm, "not like I'm having nightmares or anything."

"Richard what happened?" William sighs.

"I'm fine," I lie, "really."

"Tell me the truth," William smiles in an unfamiliar way. There's a compassion in his smile, a wisdom. I almost feel that he cares about me like Whitney does or Morgan used to, but it's a bit different. I wonder what it is? What is that smile I don't understand?

"OK," I sigh, "but not a word to Lily."

William nods.

"In my sleep last night," I sigh, "I had a nightmare of Morgan telling me to cut myself."

"Did you?" William asks.

"Lie," Purity whispers.

"No," I lie.

"Well," William replies, "I'm here for you if you ever feel like you're about to."

"Thanks," I reply.

"Come on Richard," Lily smiles, helping me up and handing my cane.

"See you two later," William smiles, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Don't purify," he whispers, "you can grab a request, but don't strike yet. Give it some more time. Soon, I promise."

"Soon," I whisper back, "we'll force the world to change."

With that, William, Lily, and I head out. William leaving in his own car as Lily and I head to the restaurant.

"Hey Richard," Lily asks, "you know how I'm looking info Purity?"

"Fuck," Purity sighs, "well there goes our cuddle buddy."

"What about him?" I ask.

"He hasn't done anything for weeks," Lily replies, "you think he died? I mean, we know Bleach is still doing shit."

"If he was dead," I reply, "wouldn't Bleach be upset?"

"True true," Lily replies, "let's shift gears. I wanna get to know you better. What's your favorite color?..."

We discuss simple things. Our favorite seasons, colors, and just general beautiful lies. Glimpses of what could be. Glimpses of the world I want to make for her...

"OK," Lily explains as we pull in, "I'll order, you go talk to Bertha. OK?"

"Sure," I reply, "I'll take four waffles. Bacon, and lots of it."

"I'm so happy you're eating," Lily smiles, "let's go."

We head inside, where Bertha greets us with a smile and wave. I see Mary, talking to Bertha.

"When do I get to see uncle Purity?' Mary asks, sitting on the counter.

"I think Purity is sick," Bertha pats Mary's head, "but if I see him I'll tell him you said hi."

Some part of me feels so happy to see Mary look up to Purity. It reminds me I'm doing good. That there's hope.

"I'm sure Purity will come soon," I reassure Mary, "he has to take a request."

Mary smiles at me. Such an inoccent, pure child. If she wants to see Purity, she will. I feel an odd desire to protect Mary. Moreso than other children. It's almost like what I feel for Whitney and Morgan. Yet at the same time, it's a bit different. Is this what it's like to have a nephew? She did call me uncle so now I can't get that idea out of my head.

"Yeah," Bertha adds, "and remember, even if you never see him again, you're safe now with my uncle and me."

"Can you talk to him now?" Lily demands.

"Sure," Bertha smiles, "Mary can you sit with Lily?"

Mary nods and sits down with Lily who speaks to a waiter, asking if Mary wants anything and ordering for her too.

"Come on," Bertha smiles, "let's head outside."

Bertha leads me outside and we sit in the fresh, cool Summer air. Sitting on the grass, the calming atmosphere making me think of Lily.

"So what are we supposed to talk about?" I ask.

"Anything that you want," Bertha replies, "or anything bothering you. Just, whatever is comfortable."

"OK," I reply as I take a deep breath, "well I have a lotta issues, but there's one that's pretty urgent."

"What is it?" Bertha asks.

"Well," I reply, "it all started as school ended..."