What happened next was a blur of rage, self-satisfaction, mortal dread, and reasonable fear. Two geeks disappeared from view, and for all intents and purposes, from existence. One geek stumbled and whimpered. The one I’d overpowered just moaned and lay fairly still.

People shouted. Things sped up and slowed down at odd intervals. The trigger seemed to squirm tantalizingly against my finger. Onlookers hovered in and out of view. The whole tableau became painted in red and blue lights. My head swam against a stream of confusion and panic. People’s voices poked me from all sides.

”...down!“

“Stop, don’t…”

“Over here!”

”...and to think…“

”...said put it down!”

“No…”

”...or I’ll…”

“Wait, the poor boy…”

“I’m not going to say this again…”

“Someone do something!”

”...down!“

“No…hero.”

“Hero?”

Hero

I felt kind of woozy. The world tilted a little. I’m not sure what happened, but I know I was smiling as I heard one last thing.

“It’s going to be okay, kid…okay now.”