There are forces in the world much stronger than death. The special relationship you two have is assuredly one such entity. If you ever despair, remember this: he is with you. He will always be with you.” –Reverend Sanderson

My soul lightened as I realized I could help her. I rolled her body flat, like Grandpa taught me. I swept my finger inside her cold mouth to make sure her breathing passage was open, and I placed my mouth on hers, carefully pinching her nose, and breathed life into her lungs.Betsy stirred, sputtered a cough, and opened her eyes.“Now you kiss me?” she said, so weakly I could barely hear her.

That unbearable taste. It was as though nothing in the world could ever be the same. Nothing was worth doing. Nothing was worth living for. It was… despair.I understood. My enemy had both a name and a taste. Despair.

It was 3:57 AM. An explosion hit me from beneath my bedroom floor like an atomic bomb, jolting me awake. Its concussive wave carried horrible colors, smells and textures, but among them floated a familiar purple. I sat up, shivering with revulsion while the aftershocks flowed over me. As I focused on the warm, sweet purple buried inside the frigid, choking grey, my eyes widened with recognition. Mom!

Turn your emotions into your ally, or they will get the better of you. Always remember that!” --Hunter’s Dad

I swam through the thick, smelly, greyish ocean of pressure toward nowhere.