“Wakey wakey Joseph”, I awoke to a wad of dollar bills slapping my face. “I’ve been psyching myself up this morning to help you out against Charity, so don’t flop out now.” “Don’t worry, I’ve made up my mind and I never go back on my word.” I got out of bed and put on my most expensive suit, gelled my hair, put on the watch and necklace Greed bought and turned to look into the mirror. “Greed, are you sure all of this is necessary?” “Of course kid, the more expensive items you have on you, the easier it will be for me to influence your greedy nature. Now are you ready? We have a virtue to crush.” “Convince” I corrected, as I headed out the door.

As we approached the area where I found the feathers it there were flocks of people lying around on the streets, smiles stuck to their faces, completely stripped down to their undergarments. “Do you see this kid? This is what excessive charity leads to when there are still people willing to accept things. These poor people have given away all they have, most of them have nothing in their bank accounts eithers, we need to stop Charity before this spreads any further.” I began to become a bit hesitant, “Greed are you sure I really need all this? Why don’t you take it instead?” “Fuck! Kid it seems like it’s already starting to get to you. Don’t blame me for what happens afterwards.” Greed pulled out from his suitcase what seemed like a piggy bank and placed it above my head. He then pulled out a hammer and broke the piggy bank, spraying fading green and yellow sparkles over myself. “Sorry, that wasn’t me.” “I know kid, now lets going before those thoughts get back to you again.”

The feathers seemed to pile up around a run-down building, with planks lining the windows and an open entrance. “It looks like this is the place, c’mon kid, we don’t have much time to spare.” I stepped through the doors and was swarmed by people trying to give me their items. Wading through the crowd was a mess, as I was practically pelted with clothes, jewelry, and a pair of dentures. The elevator was littered with dollar bills and Greed nervously eyed the floor. “Hey kid, are you sure we need to talk to him? I can call the others and we can just take him out now.” “Greed, I can handle this.” I said to both convince Greed and myself.

The elevator pinged and what greeted us was a barren room, with nothing but a wooden table and chair. Sitting in the chair was what appeared to be a homeless man, with a pair of beautiful white wings attached to his back. “Welcome! Welcome. What would you like?” “Well I’D like you to piss off, but this kid here would rather have a chat.” “Well well then young lad, why don’t you have a seat?” As he gestured, another wooden chair appeared in a cloud of smoke right across from him, and I took a seat.

“I was hoping to have a talk with you about… this.” I explained, while gesturing around the room. “Lovely isn’t it? Everyone has gotten rid of their worldly possessions, and have given up everything to the needy others.” “I see that, but doesn’t that process turn them into the needy as well?” “Ahhh, you’d think that, but these people are still rich, in their soul.” “Charity, you see this richness you speak of? That does not feed them, it does not protect them, it does NOTHING for their physical wellbeing.” “You may say that, but are they not able to enjoy a wonderful mental wellbeing?” “WAKE UP YOU IDIOT, these people have families waiting and relying on them, there are things that should have priority in these people’s lives!.” My anger was beginning to boil at this ignorant virtue.

“Do you wish for me to have the others suffer just so those important to these people can live in luxury?” “Living to only make ends meet is not living, I know because I’ve been through it. Do you actually realize what you are putting these people through? Living slightly beyond basic necessities is not luxury, and these people have earned what you are forcing them to give away!” The man’s began to lean back into his chair at my speech, but I continued my anguish,”My father is stuck in a coma because of you, do you know he’s given away his damn life to live? Do you not understand my hatred towards what you’ve done to him, he is not at peace, his family is not at peace, and neither will ever be if you continue with this madness.”

“Well then, what do you suppose is best for them then?” This bastard, he’s even pushing his responsibilities onto me since he can’t handle them himself. “Why not let them decide to be charitable of their own free will? Isn’t that what was originally intended? Most people are charitable normally if they have the capability to be so.” “Well, I guess maybe I don’t need to be that active.” “Charity is good in its own right, just like how greed is as well.” as I gestured to Greed by the elevator. “Moderation in just about everything in life is what leads to the best experience.” “Maybe you’re right kid, I suppose I should head out of here then, that way these people can return to ‘normal’” His wings slowly extended from his back as he ascended to the roof.” “And good riddance to you.” Chimed in Greed. On our way out of the building, passing by everyone slowly coming to their senses, I suddenly got a call on my phone. It was from the hospital. My dad, he finally woke up.

I ran my way to the hospital, checked in with the clerk, and burst through the doors to my father’s room. There was a man standing beside the bed in casual wear with wings attached to his back chatting with my father. “Charity?” I asked. “No no, I’m Johnathan, I was just apologizing to your father about what happened.” “Joseph, it’s a miracle! This man was the one who put me into this coma after hitting me with his car, and he’s going to repay us for all of the hospital charges!” I glared at Charity, as he shyly looked downwards. “Aw c’mon son, at least he’s apologizing, and hey! I’ll be out of this bed in a few days after the doctor’s give me my clean bill of health.” “That’s great dad, would you mind if I speak with Johnathan here for a moment?” I gesture and we both head outside. “What the hell are you doing here? What if anything happens to the people here?” “Relax Joseph, I’ve concealed that presence. Also I’ve come here to return my dues, it seems like I have a few more debts to repay. I know that there’s more damage than just this, but this is all I can do for now. I hope you can come to forgive me.” With those final words he shot through the ceiling. Hopefully that was the last I’d need to see of him as I reentered the room.

“Hi dad, sorry mr. Johnathan had to leave to take care of some business, he wished you the best. How are you feeling?” “Ah, well it was nice for him to visit and apologize, but it’s great to see you again son, I’m sorry for all I put you through. I don’t know what I can say to thank you for all you’ve done to help me while I was out.” I went up to his bed and gave him a long hug, it was all I needed to finally feel him hug back. I talked with him of how things have been going lately, minus the sins. How I’ve gotten a new job, got into a relationship, improved my diet, and am generally improving my life in every way I can. He was really impressed and seemed pretty proud. “This is amazing son, when I was raising you after your mother’s passing, I was worried that I couldn’t do enough, but look at you, you’ve made a fine man of yourself. I’m really proud of you son. But, I was thinking about something. I think it might be good for me to head back to the farm, I think you’ve grown up to a point to live on your own and I think it’d be nice for me to get back to your mother.” “While it would be sad to not see you around, I’ll be sure to visit you whenever I can.” “And I’ll be sure to give you a fine meal with all the crops I’ll be growing.” “That sounds wonderful, and I’ll help make the meal since I still remember your cooking from back then.” We had a chuckle between the two of us and said our goodbyes as the doctor came in to begin the examination.

As I was walking home the sleek figure of Greed appeared beside me. “So how did it go?” “It went pretty well, my dad woke up, Charity was there too for a bit and repaid all of the hospital fees.” “Well it seems that flea-ridden virtue may have some regret in him after all. It’s good to see that your father’s back and attem, what’s going to happen with him after this?” “It looks like he’s going to head back to the farm, trying to get back with mom and his old memories.” “Ah, well that’s a nice sentiment but I can tell you-” I gave him a quick glare “-nothing, I’m sure she’ll be happy.” As we returned home I was welcomed back by the sins at the apartment.

Pride was the first to welcome me at the door. “Welcome back Joseph, it’s glad to see you come back safe and sound. I’m sure things went well with your father as well, seeing as how Charity popped by to offer his apologies. Congratulations on managing to convince him to tone down on his virtue.” “Congrats kid, looks like you had enough spine in ya to stick it to that virtue after all, Greed didn’t mess with your head too much did he?” It was quite something to see Wrath be concerned for me “No I’m fine, I’m pretty certain I’m still in a proper state of mind despite all that.” “Well that’s good to hear Joseph, why don’t we get you settled for a victory meal and then have you set back down for a night’s rest.” Lust lured me over to the kitchen where a wide spread from Gluttony was laid out before me. “Thank you for the meal Gluttony!” After I finished the meal I had a good night’s rest for the next day.