"I'm just saying, we should totally get the whole office together to play laser tag!" Neil grinned over at Eva, who was currently leaning against the side of the Sigmund building with him. She contemplated the idea for a minute, before turning to him with a wry smile.
"You really think you'd last more than a minute against Roxie?" Eva laughed, light and carefree, the laugh she reserved just for him. Not that he knew, of course.
"Against Roxie? Not a chance, Robert however..." before Neil could continue, a glass bottle shattering against the wall inches from his head startles him, causing both of the doctors to jump backwards several feet. They turn, facing down an angry man stumbling towards the building, eyes wild and full of rage, a protester? Neil edges towards his partner, never looking away from the man as he strides forward right up to them.
"...What's up-" Neil tries to diffuse the situation, but without warning he's reeling back in pain as the protester punches him square in the nose. Falling to the ground with a grunt, clutching his face as his glasses clatter to the ground, broken. Eva's shouting is lost in the ringing as he tries to regain his composure.
"Dammit..." Neil hisses, his glasses frame crumbling when he tries to pick it up. With his free hand, he wipes away the blood dripping from his nose in disgust. Looking up, blurry shapes dance, locked in battle. He can just barely make out Eva, her hair and lab coat fanning out behind her as she fights off the attacker. She's standing firmly between Neil and her foe, darting back and forth every time the stranger tries to get past her.
Neil wants more than anything to get up and help her fight, but without his glasses he would just get in the way... Not that he was any good at fighting, he honestly had the strength of a wet tissue but it's the thought that counts. He watches as Eva ducks forward, punching the guy in the face before jumping back again.
Something shifts, the stranger making a deep guttural sound before lashing forward, slamming into Eva. She wheezes, a strange airy gasp that sends a chill down Neil's spine, and he attempts to scramble up to his feet. A dizzying vertigo sends him right back down, and he can only watch as Eva and the protester struggle against each other. Eva's long hair working against her, as the man yanks her head down with one hand and punching her in the stomach with the other. With a grunt, Eva swiftly kicks the guy in the groin, enough for him to let go and stumble back.
Taking her chance, Eva reels forward, kicking the guy hard in the chest as he tries to roll away. She practically chases him off, making a terrifying gravely scream like nothing Neil has ever heard her make as the guy runs off. Once she's sure the attacker is gone, she stumbles back over to Neil. He squints up at her, despite not being able to make out any real details, deep down he knows something is wrong. She's doubled over, arms wrapped around her midsection, swaying violently as she tries to keep her balance.
Eva collapses next to him, breathing heavily, a worrying rattle accompanying every wheezing inhale. She leans sideways onto him, head lolling weakly against his shoulder.
"Eva, what's wrong- are you okay?!" he grips her shoulders in concern, squinting at her as she slowly lifts her head, their eyes locking. She doesn't answer, and the reason is suddenly apparent to Neil as the coppery scent hits him. Blurry red stains blossom on Eva's lab coat behind her arms, too many to count. Neil pitches forward, trying desperately to staunch the blood flow. His hand brushes something hard sticking out of Eva's stomach; a knife.
"No- no no no..!" the sound of Neil's heart pounds in his ears, there's so much blood, too much- Eva convulses, sharp inhales in between violent coughing, even more blood trickling down the corners of her mouth, red speckles staining his lab coat. Yet through it all, Neil can see her smiling at him, her gaze never leaving his eyes, like she's seeing him for the first time. He stares back, eyes wide in desperation, breathing erratic. He's failed her, unable to fight and unable to protect. The one person in the world he would give anything for-
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
With a strangled scream, Neil wakes up in his bed. Staring at his trembling hands for a moment before slowly lowering his head, he tries to remind himself to breath. He can still feel the blood on his hands, the warmth of Eva leaning against him, the fear... Neil sniffles, suddenly realizing that he's crying. He wipes away the tears with a shaky hand, before glancing at his alarm clock. It was 6:00am... time to get ready for work. Taking a steadying breath, Neil tries to forget the nightmare.