"Okay, pause for popcorn!" I called, taking the remote from my younger brother's hand and pausing our horror movie. I hopped off the sofa with surprising agility and darted into the kitchen.
This was part of our sacred Halloween tradition, one Halloween movie every night until all Hallow's Eve. Then on the night when all the ghouls and ghosts come out to play, we get high as kites and watch Halloween Town, Hocus Pocus and Casper on repeat until we pass out or the sun rises. Whichever comes first.

"Lexie! It was just about to start getting good!" Archie grumbled; blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He stood in the kitchen doorway looking like a pouting five-year-old, nothing like the twenty-two-year-old I knew and loved—most of the time.

"Well, I'll only be two more minutes, why don't you take a bathroom break, so when the killing starts you won't pee your pants?" I suggested, rummaging around for a vessel for my much-anticipated popcorn. I was saving it because if I had made it before the movie began, I wouldn't have made it through the opening credits without running out.

"I don't need to…" Archie paused before scuttling off, blanket dragging on the floor. I rolled my eyes; would I be looking after this boy forever? He better not ask me to wipe his ass too. My sisterly love stopped at the bathroom door. I shook the thought out of my head, grossed out by the prospect, I wasn't caring enough to be a caregiver. I loved him enough to pay someone else to do that though, if it ever came to that. That still counts, right?

I heard screaming and became instantly annoyed; Archie must have got bored waiting for me and began to play the movie again. No one screams like that in real life, not unless they're being chased by weapon-wielding psychos. I rolled my eyes at his impatience; someone was about to get head locked and noogied into next month. The little shit. It still amazes me that he has the gonads to piss his older sister off.

I took my freshly popped popcorn into the sitting room but the TV was turned off, but the screams were still going. I looked for Archie and found him by the window, looking out at the street below. I quickly set my popcorn down and joined him, confused by the chorus of terror happening outside. I couldn't see anything though, just heard it.

"What the fuck?" I mumbled, and then I saw them, it was only a few at first but they were growing in number. People screaming and falling over themselves before scrambling away. Was this some strange Halloween terror marathon? Or were they running away from something?

I was tempted to write this off as a scary zombie parade but then I could see the blood and broken glass, if it was pretend, this was a bit extreme. But then I spotted the orange jumpsuits, Arkham inmates. No one in their right mind would joke about those crazies escaping, especially not in the Narrows of all places.

I slammed the window closed and locked it, sprinting into my bedroom and grabbing the baseball bat I kept for self-defence. I went back out to drag Archie into the bathroom, the only room with a lock and a tiny window. We were waiting for this insanity to run its course, not in comfort but in safety. But he wasn't by the window now, he was by the front door. Oh, to make sure the door was locked, smart. But then he grabbed his jacket and opened the door, not smart.

"Archie!" I yelled, the screaming getting louder and our single pane windows doing a shit job of keeping any of it muffled. I pulled him back from the open doorway.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" I asked in disbelief.

"I'm going to make sure they don't get in the building." He tugged his arm back and zipped his jacket up, grabbing the baseball bat out of my hand. I couldn't believe this. He even took my baseball bat.
"Someone has to defend the little old grannies, don't they?"

"Who do you think you are Archie? Batman?" I asked; I was in shock that he was willing to go out into this shit show. Out of both of us, Archie was the pacifist. Never wanting to create a problem or a scene, willing to let things go. Whilst I preferred to not be part of the problem, but be the whole problem. I wake up every day and choose violence.

"Why not?" He grinned, jogging off down the hall. I shook myself out of my stunned state. I needed to run after him, dragging him back by the scruff of his neck and I wasn't above duct-taping my sibling. I need to save him from his heroic self, his valiant side was stupid and needed to be medicated.

We were just watching a movie on what happens when you run head-first into danger, he was about to be the 'Comic relief' who dies first! He was 'Final Girl' material!

Just as I was about to bring back my wayward brother, I heard glass shattering in the apartment. I whipped around and could see a boot kicking in my sitting room window. Looking closer I could see the orange jumpsuit on his legs, darkened from dirt and blood but unmistakable in its neon warning colour.

It would make no difference dragging back Archie if our safe spot was compromised, I had to deal with this first. And it was this guy's bad luck that I was in a foul mood, peace was never an option.

I dropped to the ground and shoved my arm under the sofa, batting away dust bunnies and forgotten pens. My hand fell on the cold metal of my crowbar and I dragged it out. I had a criminal record so buying a gun was never an option for me, but Wal-Mart doesn't do a background check for one of these puppies.

I had weapons stashed everywhere which in my opinion was smart, Archie said he was concerned about my home decorating choices. Which is why he took my bat from me, he knew I had more.
I gripped my crowbar which hadn't had the chance to see war yet and raced to the window.

"Hey fuck face!" I screamed, which made the boot retract from the hole in my window and a face appeared instead.
"Wrong window." I swung my weapon, smashing more glass in the process but nailing the loon right in his face.

He screamed, grabbing his smashed nose as he retreated from my assault. But I wasn't letting him off that easy, does he know how expensive windows are to replace?! I followed him out onto the fire escape, careful not to cut myself on any of the jutting glass.

He roared when I was in front of him, forgetting his bleeding nose, or at least what was left of it, and charged.

"Get fucked." I didn't hesitate and swung the crowbar at the side of his head. Knocking him off the fire escape and falling the three stories down into the alley. He landed in the empty dumpster with a crash and the lid banged closed.

That took care of that then, death and disposal, ladies we can do it all. I didn't know if he was dead, but he wasn't getting up for a while at the very least. I pulled up the ladder which was how he got up, and most likely this was Archie's fault, he would forget his keys or sneak in after a night of drinking as if I was his keeper. I didn't care if he got plastered with his friends; I just didn't want him to wake me up.

With thoughts of my brother, I quickened my actions and hopped back into the apartment. Not as gracefully as I would have liked, nicking my collarbone on my entry on a piece of my shattered window. I swore loudly but ignored it, I needed to get to Archie.

I ran out of the apartment, slamming the door closed behind me. I practically flew down the stairs, skipping two at a time, using the railing so I didn't fly face-first to my death. I was in the entrance in record time, panting not too quietly, I wasn't used to this much cardio.

I spotted Archie on the stone steps, swinging the bat wildly, not hitting anyone but keeping them back.

He was alone in his efforts, which wasn't surprising. Our complex was mostly for old couples and single-parent families, people who had no safer place to go. The building manager is an older man with a soft spot for down on their luck and vulnerable people. Archie and I had been living here since we ran away from our foster home at 16 and 12. We were the only people in this entire building who could defend it, Archie was better than me because he was willing to do it.

I wrenched open the door and swung my crowbar into the face of someone trying to sneak up in Archie's blind spot. They stumbled away with a scream, falling back into the crowd streaming past our complex, but more than a few had stopped to try their luck getting inside.

"Thanks for the assist sis." Archie shot me a toothy grin as he wiped the sweat off his brow. I gripped my crowbar tighter and set my feet into a rooted stance. If I had to stand on the front line, I wasn't going to be knocked over.

"It wasn't as assist; it was a saving your dumbass." I shot back, but he only chuckled standing next to me. We were both looking into the small crowd. Not all of them were in jumpsuits, some were homeless and some must have just joined in on the chaos. Archie swung his bat again as someone took a step forward, but they quickly jumped back out of range.

"You got anyone yet?" I asked, looking around for bodies but he shook his head.
"Then it's 2:0 to me." He turned to me shocked but I chuckled and took a step forward, making the crowd shuffle back. They knew I was willing to cave in all of their skulls with a smile on my face and pep in my step.

Suddenly someone broke through the crowd and lurched toward me, I was a second late reacting and didn't bring my weapon up in time. They were screaming wildly and grabbing at my clothes, I managed to punch them and sent them to the floor as they curled up into the fetal position. I watched in confusion; I didn't even hit them that hard. But this seemed to rile up the crowd and they surged forward.

I barely had time to concern myself with them more as bodies came flying at me. I wasn't slow this time and swung my crowbar indiscriminately. Hitting whatever body part, I could, I lost Archie in the confusion but no one was getting past me to the door. In my panic to see if my brother was okay, I screamed as I went into a frenzy, using the chisel end of my crowbar to stab into the mess of bodies. Surely, I can call this self-defence in a court of law? Or at least I hope so.

Screams rang out as the attackers began to thin out, a lot of them running away from me now as if I were the problem tonight. I could see Archie now, fighting for control over his baseball bat, he had some cuts and bruises like me but nothing serious.

I kicked the chest of one burly man racing up the steps, sending him flying back into a couple of others. Freeing myself up to kneecap the man fighting my brother. The man quickly buckled under his shattered leg and I kicked him down the steps to join the rest.

I was a mess, my chest covered in some of my blood from my cut in the window, but a lot of others had joined my now ruined clothes. I scowled, a little worried I would need shots now, I didn't like needles. I hoped all my attackers had been up to date with their jabs.

"You holding up alright?" I asked Archie as I gasped for breath, the crowbar did a lot of damage but it was heavy to throw around. I wiped my face, blood and sweat nearly running into my eyes.

"I'm doing, okay?" He replied unsurely, unsteady on his feet. He picked up his baseball bat from where it fell and gripped it tighter.
"You're okay, right Lexie?" He shot me a quick look, doing a double-take at all the blood.

"When am I not?" I gave my crowbar a twirl, trying to look more confident than I was. Hoping he couldn't see my arm shaking from the weight of the metal I was wielding.

"Where are the cops?" He asked, looking up and down the street for any form of help. I mentally scoffed at his optimism. We would be lucky if they didn't block off the bridge trapping us here. But I realised my realism wouldn't be helpful right now, he needed to hope we would get out of this.

"They're probably on their way." I lied, reassuring him with a big smile which he returned. As we turned back to our adversaries of the night, Archie suddenly pointed up to the roof of the building down the street from us.

"I can't believe it, it's Batman!" He yelled, causing everyone to look up at the black figure jumping on the rooftops above. I was astonished, never before seeing the caped crusader which was probably a good thing being away from dangerous situations to be saved from. But he was here now, to save us?

This had a terrible effect on everyone else though, they began to scream and whoever was still standing rushed forward, eager to get our weapons or get into our building. But I wasn't letting a single jumpsuit pass, and now we had Batman to help us. This night might end in victory after all.

I was feeling dizzy from all the adrenaline now leaving my system and the crowbar seemed like a stone weight in my hand. It was getting harder and harder to swing, my hair kept getting in my eyes and my legs weren't as steady as they had been. I was running on fumes and falling fast.

"Lexie! Look out!" I was suddenly pushed to the side as Archie flew into me. I managed to grab the bannister of the steps before I fell to the floor, but Archie was in a heap at my feet. I realised why when a brick covered in blood lay next to his head. His eyes were closed and he wasn't moving. I went into a blind rage and had a surge of adrenaline-fueled strength again at seeing my little brother unconscious.

I screamed and swung the crowbar wildly, not even caring if I hit anyone but I needed space. I looked up at the rooftop of the building across from us, Batman had finally arrived and I could see him hesitate for a second, looking at our situation.

One girl against a crowd of Arkham escapees. Surely, he would dive down and at least help? Right? But to my horror and disbelief, he jumped across the rooftops and kept going.

He had seen me, I know he did, he hesitated when I screamed and looked down. I saw it. I saw him look. But he left, deeming somewhere else more deserving of his aid. I was filled with rage, going into a frenzy now of blind attacks.

I stabbed my crowbar out and got it stuck in someone's ribcage; I tried to pry it out but it wasn't coming loose. I screamed again in anger and threw the man into a woman trying to crawl up the steps. Nice try lady but I can see the jumpsuit you took off and tossed to the side.

I grabbed Archie under his arms and dragged him back, kicking the lobby door open and gently letting him down. I ran back to the door and realised I had nothing to stick through the handles, my crowbar was in some guy's chest and Archie's bat was nowhere to be seen. I looked around for something but without another option, I went to take my tank top off to tie around the handles. I think I remembered a knot from Cub Scouts. I was there for months before they realised I was a girl and kicked me out.

But thankfully my fingers brushed across my belt that I forgot I was wearing. I apologise, Gotham, you aren't getting a free show today. I pulled the belt free from my jeans and looped it around the handles.

The crazies had cautiously come closer to the door, probably scared I would jump back out with something sharper and more lethal. Although most things when put into my hands become lethal. What can I say? It's a gift.

I managed to buckle the belt so the door couldn't be opened. Someone tried the handle and then began to throw themselves against it in a fit of fury. Not even the Hulk was getting in here.
In Hubert's, our landlord's words, 'Your door has to be the most expensive item you own unless you want someone to get into your house and take everything else.'.
He took his advice and had installed such a strong door, thatI knew it would take a tank to get it here.

So, I didn't even watch the door because I knew it wouldn't break, I focused all my attention on Archie. He hadn't opened his eyes yet and his breathing became laboured. His temple was a mess of blood and ripped skin, I didn't even want to touch it for fear I would make it worse. I fretted over him, not knowing what to do. I wasn't in the medical field; I didn't know how to fix this.

"Fuck!" I screamed, tears welling up because I felt so helpless. My baby brother was bleeding and unconscious and I couldn't do a damned thing. I couldn't even go outside to flag down help because Gotham was going to hell in a handbasket. I balled up my hands into fists, not knowing what else to do.

"Can I help?" I whirled around to see one of the older ladies coming down the stairs, I think her name was Ruth. I wiped away at my face and shuffled back from Archie.

I knew her from some run-ins in the halls, sometimes I would carry her groceries up the stairs, or catch her cat who liked to play out on the fire escape.
I knew she used to be a nurse before she retired. She was who you went to if you had a fever or a bad cut, she was retired from nursing but still in the business of helping people.

"My brother got hit with a brick, right there." I pointed to his temple and she hurried over as fast as her little legs would take her. She cast a look at me as she went past.

"You aren't looking too good either." She commented with a look of concern at the blood all over me.

"Only some of it is mine." I shrugged; she should see what I did outside. Or maybe she shouldn't, I didn't want her to know I went Barbarian mode out there. I should at least try to have some deniability, if not just for the police who might come asking.

She didn't seem too bothered by my answer though, she bent down and inspected Archies wound before turning to me again.
"I need you to go upstairs to my room, floor two room 6, the door is open but don't let Mr. Mittens out. Go into my kitchen cabinet above the cooker and you'll find my first aid kit. Bring the entire bag and some bottled water if you have it." She instructed me but tugged my hand back before I ran off.

"And please change your shirt and wipe your face, you'll give some poor old bird a heart attack." She had the good grace to whisper the last part and I assumed she didn't count herself as one of the old birds of the complex. I did look down at myself and I was a mess.

I huffed; it wasn't my fault those guys bled so much. I took off for the stairs, knowing I didn't have the patience for the elevator. I took the steps two at a time, happy for my long legs which I usually cursed for making jeans so hard to find.

I was on Ruth's floor before I knew it and raced down the hall, skidding to a stop outside her door, just barely stopping myself from falling over. Her door was unlocked as she said and I slipped in, I had brought back her trickster orange cat enough times to know he would dart right past me if given the opportunity.

There was an annoyed grumble as I closed the door behind me, an orange ball of fur annoyed to be denied his freedom. Sorry, Mr. Mittens, but I don't have time to play hide and seek with you today. And not because it's my least favourite game with you, you little shit.

I jogged across Ruth's apartment, trying not to trip over the cat toys that were strewed all over the floor or bump into any of the cat beds. She only had one cat, was he really this spoiled? Mr. Mittens was close behind me, more than a little suspicious of why the stranger who sometimes chased him was in his sacred sanctum.

I found the kitchen quickly and grabbed the first aid bag that was above the cooker, nearly dropping it because of the unexpected weight. How did that little woman carry this thing anywhere?
I pulled the strap over my shoulder and made sure it was securely around me before I left the apartment. Making sure no orange fur ball with legs followed me out and then sprinted up the stairs to my floor.

Screams were still sounding outside but that wasn't my problem, my problem was bleeding downstairs in the lobby. I threw open my apartment door, first going to the kitchen and shoving two bottles of water into Ruth's first aid bag. Then I opened the cupboard under the sink and took out one of my other hidden weapons. A small rounders bat I had used in my youth.

Who knew one of my childhood wooden toys that held such fond memories could also be used to beat someone senseless, it was multi-functional. I kept it in my hand and ran back to the front door, grabbing one of Archie's zip-up sweatshirts as I left. I didn't have time to change my clothes so covering it up would have to do.

I didn't bother to lock the door behind me, that was wasting time neither I nor Archie had to spare. I wasted no more time as I raced back downstairs, I was surprised that a few more people had appeared in the lobby now. I dodged them and tried not to be too bitter that they only appeared now, but I knew each of them had their own reasons. Either too elderly to help or had young children to protect.

I skidded to my knees next to Ruth, setting her kit next to her and zipping up the sweatshirt to cover the bloody display I had turned into. She didn't spare me another glance as she started digging in her bag. She called over another lady and started directing her to assist her. I stood back up, not being able to do anything more than hover over her while she did what she needed to do.

So, I stood in front of the lobby door instead, needing to feel like I was being useful. I listened to the people outside still trying futilely to get inside the complex. They were throwing themselves and their fists mindlessly against the wood. It reminded me of the zombie movie I had planned to watch tomorrow with Archie.

Now being an unwilling star in my own horror movie, I felt a bit of understanding for those characters that lost their goddamn minds in their panic and made stupid decisions. My sanity was barely hanging on by a thread, if Archie doesn't wake up soon… No, I couldn't think like that. He'll be fine. He has to be.

I turned back to see him to reassure myself it was going well. Ruth was cleaning the wound of Archie's temple; I could see a long cut right across his temple which continued and vanished into his hairline. It was only visible for a moment before blood began to seep back out of the wound, why was he bleeding so much, surely the head only holds so much blood, right?

I was going to turn back around but then Ruth began to whisper frantically to the woman next to her.

"What? What is it?" I asked, walking back over, their whispering disconcerting me. Ruth looked from me to the woman before she stood and placed a placating hand on my arm.

"Your brother needs a hospital immediately; I can't get the bleeding under control. If he doesn't get help in the next few hours… I don't know if he'll ever wake up." Ruth told me gently but sternly. I appreciated her candid way of speaking but it was worse than I had thought.

I looked over to the door, still shaking under the assault of the insane outside. I couldn't fight through them all, even if I could, the nearest hospital was 15 miles away. I couldn't carry Archie all that way, especially in his unconscious state. I was running on fumes myself. I took a couple of steps away from Ruth, gripping the rounders bat until it hurt, resisting the urge to throw it in my anger.

If the police weren't here in the streets calming this madness, I knew hospitals wouldn't be sending out ambulances either. That would be assuming we would even get through to the emergency line, they were probably drowning in confused and panicked calls. What the hell was I going to do, I was about to scream when a voice spoke into the silence.

"You can take my motorbike." I whipped around to the voice. A man I didn't recognise stepped forward, fishing keys out of his pocket.
"My son was going to try and sell it for me, but it's the least I could offer. You and your brother were really brave, going out there to defend our building." There were murmurs of agreement from the other gathered residents.

I was shell-shocked by the generous offer, walking over to him I gingerly took the keys from his outstretched hand.
"Th-thank-you. I'll try not to damage-" I began but he waved a hand in dismissal with a small chuckle.

"It was worth something forty years ago, I'm lucky it still runs. You get your brother the help he needs and don't worry about that old piece of junk." He gave my shoulder a hard smack, which hurt more than anything but I nodded in understanding.

Turning back to Archie, Ruth was wrapping his head in bandages with the help of the lady beside her. I took a deep breath and started to plan in my head. With a mode of transportation, this might work now. Of course, it wasn't ideal. But I wasn't about to become a choosing beggar at this man's generosity.

With the help of some other neighbours, we followed the former motorcyclist to where he was keeping his bike. It was chained up outside in the alley, which thankfully no one was loitering in. I did cast a look at the dumpsters which were directly under my fire escape, knowing there was most likely a dead inmate there. I dismissed the thought, it was his fault, andI defended myself.

I hoped Gotham was a 'stand-your-ground' state.
If not, then I had no idea what, if any, bodies might or might not be in that dumpster.

I sat on top of the motorcycle, listening to a quick tutorial on how to make it go and how to make it stop. I wasn't sure if this was a good time to tell him that the last time I rode a bicycle, was more than a decade ago, never mind operated one of these bad boys. Hopefully, it's as easy as it looks in the movies.

Archie was gently brought over and we positioned him in front of me, leaning him back. Someone brought over a scarf and tied our torsos together. It wasn't perfect, but it should be okay. Ruth gave him one more quick look and nodded to me.

"Get back inside and lock that door. If they hear this bike, you'll have company soon. Move every piece of furniture that isn't bolted down in front of it, just in case." I instructed as I flicked up the kick-stand and balanced both Archie and me on the unfamiliar bike.

They nodded and closed the door quickly; I could hear the scraping of heavy furniture being pushed over the wooden floorboards. I waited a few more seconds, giving them as much time as I could before I rode off. As soon as a heavy 'thunk' sounded against the door, I took that as my sign to go.
I drew in the clutch, kick-started the engine and then pulled the throttle while letting the clutch go.

The bike roared into life and took off in seconds, I held onto the handles for dear life, wishing I had taken up the offer for the helmet. I was nearly out of the alley before a body threw itself into my path, I didn't slow down and avoided whoever was stupid enough to think I would stop. When I could see them go to grab for me, I used to rounders bat I still had with me and took a swing at the outstretched arm. Hearing a scream as the wooden bat broke his ulna and radius.

I took a sharp turn as I headed off in the direction of the hospital, having to keep dodging people and debris that littered the streets. It was even worse than I had assumed, withpeople lying in the street unmoving, others shambling around or screaming bloody murder. This was hell on earth, what psychopath set this chaotic plan into motion? What was the point?

I didn't spend much more time thinking over such pointless questions, I focused on keeping Archie steady and not crashing. For an older bike, it sure rode well. I pulled in front of the hospital and nearly toppled off because I realised, I hadn't been listening as well when the man was explaining how to stop the bike.

I pulled on what I thought was the front and rear brakes, skidding to a halt and only just getting the kickstand down in time to stop us all fromfalling onto the pavement. I pocketed the keys and untied Archie from me, throwing off the scarf as I caught Archie in my arms. I manoeuvred him onto my back and took off into the emergency room, pushing past the people standing in the hallways.

If they're not actively bleeding, they're getting shoved out of my way. I forced my way to the nurse's station, but no one was looking up at me, they were all frantically answering phones or rushing off at a sprint. I had to stop someone, or else I would be waitingfor someone all night which Archie didn't have the time to waste.

I took off down the hallway, nearly toppling under Archie's weight, looking for anyone who had stopped for two seconds. Finally, I found a nurse standing in a doorway and grabbed her arm to turn her around. She looked at me as she was about to start yelling at me but I jumped in before she could.

"I'm sorry, I just, I-I need help." I pleaded with her, butshe stopped and finally seemed to notice Archie on my back. Her angry eyes disappeared as she went into nurse mode and directed me to a stretcher to put Archie down onto. I let him down as gently as I could, the nurse helping me to lie him down.

"What happened to him?" She asked, taking out a torch and looking into his eyes. Flashing it in his pupils to look for reactions I assumed. I had watched Grey's Anatomy.

"Someone threw a brick at him, andsince then he hasn't woken up. That was about 30 minutes ago." I informed her, leaving out that we were outside fighting Arkham escapees.

"And what happened to you?" She asked, looking at me before I zipped up the sweatshirt again. It had come undone lifting and carrying around my brother.

"I'm fine." I dismissed her concern, it was unnecessary. I was on my feet still, which meant I would live. I must have looked like hell because she raised an eyebrow at my statement. What's a little blood when it's utter chaos and anarchy outside?
"What about Archie?" I asked, redirecting her concern to who needed it most.

She cast an uncertain look at me when I asked and didn't answer. She instead went into the room she had been standing in the doorway of and I could hear a conversation. I took a step closer to the stretcher and looked down at Archie.

"Don't quit on me now baby brother." I swept some of his hair off his forehead, tears welling up as I looked at his pale face, the only comfort was his still-warm skin.
"I still need to kick your ass for doing something so stupid." I threatened, hoping no one was listening to me.
"So, wake up." I couldn't hold the tears back anymore and they spilled over my cheeks.

I wiped away at them angrily, only realising now that I had Archie's zip-up sweatshirt on when I used his sleeve as a tissue, which made me cry harder. I managed to regain my composure when the nurse walked back out with a doctor in tow.

She took in the patient in front of her and jumped into action. Taking everything in with a quick practised eye.
"Did you perform this first aid?" The doctor asked me but I shook my head.

"No, it was one of my neighbours she is a retired nurse. She did that and then told me to bring him here right away." I explained, keeping pace as they began to wheel him down the hallway, everyone jumping out of the way of the stretcher. The way they were pushing it, I don't think they were stopping for anyone.

"You did the right thing." She assured me before turning to the nurse beside me, their conversation turned into background noise as I looked down at Archie. Wishing more than anything, that he would open his eyes and give me his usual goofy smile. Laughing at me for worrying so much, teasing me that he thought I had my tear ducts medically removed years ago.

I would punch his arm, calling him a jerk and we would laugh at how dramatic this all was. Then we would argue over whose turn it was to pick the next movie for our October marathon, throwing pillows and whatever else was to hand. I would, of course, let him win, as I intended to do from the start. But act asif I was so annoyed and irritated while he pestered me that maybe I would win one day.

As soon as the stretcher passed a door I was stopped by a nurse, telling me that only doctors could go beyond that point. I was so tired that I didn't fight her, I just watched as they wheeled Archie away. As soon as he was out of my sight I staggered into a chair, all the strength going out of my body. I was beyond exhausted and my mind was a scrambled mess of worry.

I don't know how I stayed on my feet for so long or what reserves I had been pulling from. My body was empty, I felt like a hollow shell. I couldn't even hear the noise of the hospital, it all faded and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I felt myself falling but I didn't have the energy to stop myself. I just hoped when I opened my eyes Archie would be awake too and we could forget tonight ever happened.

I never did get to eat my popcorn…