The Program- The epidemic has begun.

Part one- Before the End

Suicide has always been a thing. There have always been teenagers who killed themselves because they were depressed or scared or sad- just now they have a new word for it.

An epidemic- The epidemic.

It started small I guess, from what I heard on the news anyways. Small clusters of teens killing themselves for no known reason. No past with depression, nothing. The only connection being that they knew each other. Its starting small, theyd say. Just beginning, treatable, curable. Right when it began, there was talk of a way to end it. They called it the program. They said there was no need to worry, no more children would be infected and the already sick ones would be sent to the program to be cured.

Cured.

The word rots in my mouth. There was talk that the closers would be sent first. Closers were like therapists but roleplaying the deceased. If a family member died, closers could be paid to come to the deceased person's house, study them, dress up like them, and then become them. It was a form of therapy- counseling. They could become anyone they pleased, no emotions attached, they didn't have any it seemed. Most closers were emotionless, it was basically a requirement to be a closer in the first place. A poker face is just another word for a closer. Id hear people say. It was true though. Closers could hide their emotions, be whoever, however, whatever they wanted. For most of them it was true I should say.

My brother was a closer. He could become anyone. The best in the business. He was never attached to his clients or his roles he played. While most closers were emotionless and unattached to anyone, my brother Justin was different. He was my best friend. The kindest, funniest, most caring brother in the world.

I guess thats why I should have noticed something when he got sick.

I was never a bright sunshiny girly girl, I wasn't dark or gothic either, I was dreadfully average. My brother helped me out of that though. He would bring me to parties, introduce me to people, hell he even once got everyone to play truth or dare so he could get some rando to kiss me. He always used to bring me places, bring me around to show me "how beautiful the outside social world could be"!- Id hear that at least once a week. After his seventeenth birthday though he started slowly slipping away Hed bring me to parties, then disappears only to show up two hours later solemn and tired. Hed ask if I'd like a ride home or if id catch one with someone here. He wasnt the same, he never used to leave me alone but then suddenly, he changed. Our time together slowly started to decrease, what used to be us spending everyday together turned into every other day, than just a couple days during the week, then one day, then id only see him for dinner or family night. He was drifting, I could tell something was wrong but refused to tell anyone, he could never forgive me if I sent him to the program.

"Id rather die," he once said to me, "Id rather die than go into the program. If we dont have our memories, who are we? Were no one. Were already dead." Then he walked away, empty and hollowed out.

This continues on for another month, finally, the program was called. It was my mother who betrayed him. Id heard her talking on the phone to the program. "Please Hes sick, I dont know how much more time he has before he- before he-..." Then she broke off into sobs, shoulders racking, bouncing with her tears. I stood there horrified.

Theyd be coming for him Theyd be coming for him tonight.

My body reacts before I know what I'm doing, he might have changed, but he was still my brother. I had to at least warn Daniel He had the right to know. I knock on his door quickly. A muffled sound from the other side of the door is made, I can hear his slow shuffle as he drags his feet to the door where I am. Daniel pulls it open. Its then that I notice his eyes The dark circles drooping under them It looks like someone smeared black eyeliner under them.. They were so dark.. So tired He looks at me. It almost seems as if it takes him a moment to recognize me.

Hes gone I think to myself, Daniels gone and the program is coming for him.

"What." He asks completely monotone.

"I-I just..." I take a deep breath shaking, holding back tears, "I just wanted to say I love you Daniel You've always been the best big brother in the world and- and-" a tear slips out of my eye as the front door creaks open from downstairs.

"...Whos at the door Riley." He asks me. Emotion finally showing on his face for the first time in months. "Whos at the fucking door!" He shakes, eyes pleading me to answer. When I dont respond, its the only answer he needs.

Footsteps are heard making their way towards his room where we are.

"...I'm so sorry." I whisper barely audible.

His eyes cloud over- Id rather die.

He looks at me one last time, betrayal behind his look. Daniel, in one motion- almost as if he planned this- take a pocket out of his drawer, opens it and pauses. His eyes dart around, then land on me again.

"Im sorry Riley, Im already dead." He slashes the knife across his throat, blood immediately bubbles out. Daniel falls to the floor. There isn't even a chance to save him- he's already dead.

A scream flies out of my mouth, sobs go all throughout my body, I can't stand anymore. I fall to my knees screaming for Daniel, for my dead brother. The door opens as two men dressed in all white come through the door, stopping when they see the scene they've walked in on. Their faces barely show any sign of grief, I'm sure that they're both used to this. But I'm not. I sob on the floor not caring if they see, not caring if I get sent into the program next because I've been 'infected' by my own brother. I only care about two things.

The epidemic is spreading- and it took my brothers life.