The knock on the door was weak, but she still came. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped as she took in the scene after opening the door.

“Hey,” I said, hands pressed to my stomach to staunch the bleeding. “Can I get some help?”

“O-of course.” Her voice was shaky, but she widened the door so I could pass by her. I knew the way to the pantry, where they kept the medical supplies. She pulled them out as I lay down on the floor, trying not to get too much blood on the hardwood.

“What happened? Why are you here?” Her initial shock seemed to be wearing off and as she rummaged around for the wraps and gauze, her questions started to fly.

“Fighting a bank robber. I didn’t realize he had a knife, along with the gun I knocked from his hands.” I looked down at the wound and winced. The blood wasn’t spurting, so he probably hadn’t stuck anything too vital. Of course it hurt, but it could be worse.

“And I didn’t know who else to go to. You’re the best in class.”

This made her freeze, and she turned to me slowly, her arms full of medical supplies.

“What?” She whispered, her face twisting in confusion and hurt. One hand on my stomach, I used the other to pull off my mask.

“Hey, Kiera. It’s been a long couple of days.” I attempted a smile, but my hands were shaking, and my eyesight was staring to blur.

“Lyn?” She narrowed her eyes as if trying to pick apart my face and see if I was somehow lying, faking her out.

“That’s me. Just bleeding out on your kitchen floor.”

She hurried to my side and started applying cream and wrapping to the deep cut.

“You got lucky.” She told me, intently focused on her work.

“This narrowly missed your appendix.”

“Eh, it’s useless anyway.” I attempted a shrug, hissing in pain as she pressed on the wound to seal the bandage.

“Useless until it fails.” She agreed, sitting back to survey her work.

“Am I gonna die, doc?” I queried.

“No. But you need time to heal.”

“Time shmime.” I slowly stood, using the nearby counter for support.

“Where are you going?”

“I gotta give the bank robber his knife back.” I twirled it around my fingers as I headed toward the door. When she said nothing, I turned to see her pale face even paler.

“I’m going to put him in prison.” I elaborated.

She breathed out, a now-bloody hand going to her heart.

“Thank you.” I told her. “And… I’m sorry. I should have told you before.”

She stepped forward until she was inches from my face.

“You’re the strangest best friend I’ve ever had.” She said after a long moment, making me laugh.

“But by far the most memorable.” I added. “Good luck.” She told me, reaching out for a gentle embrace.

“Thanks.” I told her once again. Then I left, off to fight once more.