It all happened so fast

First, it was the usual kind of chaos—grease-stained tables, cheap neon lights flickering above a knocked-off Mexican fast food joint, everyone laughing too loud to cover how bad the night had already gone. Then some sentimental talk... Then sirens. Then pain.

Now you’re here.

A hospital bed too clean for what you remember. Beef, your chunky chihuahua was sleeping next to the left side of you. The table next to your bed is full of wishing well cards and fruit baskets along with countless Twinkies. The antiseptic smell burns your nose. Half your body feels wrong—aching, heavy, like it’s been split open and stitched back together by hands that didn’t care if you screamed. How long and how bad was the burn that it got you knocked out this bad? You tilt back up and stare at the ceiling tiles...

'What the fuck were you thinking? Thinking it was a good idea to tell your hero identity to your ex-nemesis, Flambae, who got his fingers cut off and has been humbled by you numerous times? When you were already fucked alcohol, much less injuries from the deranged bar figh before.'

All you want is...to understand them and accept them. You thought being honest was a good step. Apparently not. Perhaps Mechaman and you, the dispatcher, should have been separate beings in the first place. But at last, Flambae had lashed out and attacked you. Presumably burn half of your body. Nobody reacts in time to defend powerless you.

Though, Through the thin wall, you hear it—boots against tile. Back and forth. Back and forth. Too fast. Too angry. The sound of someone unraveling but refusing to let anyone see it...

You weren't sure what to do.