10 Commandments

1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...

B Code Escalated

On the ground.

I'm seeing a single hue of color.

<You're sure you want this?>

Yep.

Do it.

The first shot.

Through my eyebrow.

The second shot.

Through my cheek.

I think it went straight through,

And went out the other side.

I'm calm.

The pain is minimal.

It's like a body piercing.

The scars are barely visible.

This is strangely unrealistic.

<How do you feel?>

I feel fine.

I do not feel fear.

Pit Falls

Think Animal Crossing.

You know those pit falls?

The ones that look like buried treasure?

That cursed star you can fall into?

The surprise you forget about existing?

Yeah. Me too.

Pit falls suck.

You have to

Flail and

Struggle and

Watch your character's wide-eyed expression

[complete with sweating].

It's really quite a sight of coding.

We've seen a lot of pit falls recently.

And I'm sorry they keep cropping up.

It does really suck.

Look around

Look around

At how lucky we are

To be alive right now.

Look at where you are.

Look at where you started.

The fact that you're alive is a miracle.

I don't pretend to know

The challenges you're facing.

...But I'm not afraid. I know you.

Remember,

We are here to help.

It's okay not to be okay.

And I love you.

...Say. Good-bye!

Take care of yourself.

You will be missed.

We won't forget you.

We'll keep in touch.

I'm glad you got to make the choice

Out of your own agency.

I'm glad you're alive.

Look around...look around

At how lucky we are to be

Alive

Right now.

I'm here to listen,

Here to understand you.

Tell me what lies in your heart

And in the telling you'll find the peace you're seeking

You'll know the way once you start.

I can't live for you,

[But] things can change.

I promise.

Cuz God don't make no trash.

Best of hubbies and best of men.

Best older brother I never had.

The B Code

Normal day. Normal class.

Darkness.

Tension.

Cue abnormality.

Is everyone in the room?

Is the door locked?

Are the windows locked?

Nope.

In and Out.

In and Out.

In and Out.

Whsk.

...and Out.

Whsk.

...and Out.

Cower. Cower.

We could die.

I've made my peace with that.

It's just a fact.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normal day.
Team's all here.

Pause.

Over the hill crest:
Piu piu.
Whsk wsk.

Dust swirls.
Small impacts creep closer.

To my right I hiss:
Get down.
You're dead.

I sink to the floor
And hope she did the same.
I feel someone nearing.

A pull at my hair (the little there is)...
Is that metal on my head... a small hollow circle?

Wait for it...wait for it...
Wait for it.

Nothing.

I'm alive.
I am calm.
And I wake up.

FAMILY

Forever evolving, never stationary

Accepts you

Maybe dysfunction but has your back

Interdependent with each other

Legacy. What is a legacy?

You can choose as much as you cannot choose who’s included.

Hanging

It's funny

How life hangs in the balance

When we least expect it.

I wouldn't know,

Not from personal experience.

But, by proxy, yes.

That I understand.

One too many shit-shows.

One too many dark thoughts.

One too many tablets.

Let's throw another wrench:

Refuse help.

Well that complicates it

For the rest of us...

Is it really caring ethically

If we neglect your wants,

Because we want to follow the book?

Is it really good care

If we can't respect your wishes

When they don't align with our own?

Now let's throw this gear:

You don't actually want to die.

You intentionally acted

Non-lethally.

Since I believe

You aren't truly trying to die,

I cannot,

In good conscience,

Force formal outside help on you.

So I watch.

I keep you close.

I show you support.

I plan for the worst,

While hoping for the best.

And I do my best care.