I stood surrounded by a black void. A few feet away, a candle sat atop a table. On the other side of it, Al walked in from the darkness. Her façade pleasant and smiled at me, but her eyes told a different story. She raised her hand above the candle, and pinched her fingers together, extinguishing the flame.

My face hurt. The cold of the pavement penetrated my hospital gown. I really needed to find regular clothes. I sat up in a panic. Selena was going to kill Al! I frantically got to my feet, and looked around to identify the neighborhood I was in. Al’s condo was on the other side of town. I had no idea how long I’d been out, but it was still nighttime, so it probably hadn’t been that long.

She was probably still sleeping; she’d be a sitting corpse if Selena snuck into her place. Forcing energy into my legs, I propelled myself in that direction. I flew forward – a few feet. I shook my head in annoyance, and started running like a plain old, boring, weak human. I don’t think I’d ever been so stressed in my life. I couldn’t heal. If I got to her too late, she could die. For good.

I was able to go about a mile. Actually, it was more like 5 miles, and I was barely winded. I slowed my pace, because I was obviously doing intermittent sprints, when a taxi pulled up next to me, not that I needed it.

“Hey, kid. You alright?” The driver asked, even though I was completely fine.

“Yeah, – I-I’m – fine,” I said between breaths. It was a new style of breathing that I was trying out; supposed to increase the effectiveness of exercise.

“You don’t seem fine,” he said. I was totally fine; he was just being nice. “Why don’t I give you a ride?”

“Ok – I – guess, – that – would – help ” I said. Obviously, cars are faster than even my impressive regular human speed. I crawled into the back seat and sprawled out. I gave him Al’s address while I recovered. I’d been through a lot since I last slept – actually slept, not knocked unconscious. I deserved a break. I’d barely closed my eyes before we were in front of her building.

“That’ll be – Hey!” The driver shouted after me as I sprinted toward the front door. I was still wearing a hospital gown; he should have known that I didn’t have any money. There was a security guard in a booth next to a fancy gate.

“Satan’s horns! Bill, you still work here?” I said.

“Well, I’ll be – Jesse, is that you?” The older man replied. “How long’s it been?”

“Sorry, Bill, I’m kind of in a rush,” I said, jogging in place as I waited.

“You youngins – always in a rush… I assume you’re going up to see Ms. Warmacher?” He asked, far too slowly.

“Yes, Bill. Can you please open the gate?” I asked.

“You know, it’s pretty late. I should probably call to make sure you’re allowed to go up and see her. She might be sleeping after all,” he said. “Oh my, what happened to your hand and why are you wearing a hospital gown?”

“Bill! It’s an emergency! I really need to see her,” I said.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” He asked. “I swear, you kids are always on texting on your phones. You don’t even know how to talk to people anymore.” He opened the gate, which swung open as if were being pushed open by a tortoise. I swallowed my frustration and ran through, smashing the elevator call button furiously. I made it to her condo, but the door was locked. That time, at least, I remembered that I didn’t have superhuman strength to break down the door, but there was no time. I took a running start and slammed into it with my shoulder. I didn’t get it on the first try, which is totally understandable, nobody ever gets it on the first try. Before I could try again however, Al opened the door wearing a red silk robe.

“Jay? What’s your problem? Why are you banging on my door and why didn’t you go away after the first dozen times?” She was exaggerating; it really was only once, I promise.

“Al! – Thank – Cerberus – you’re – alright,” I said. The pauses were just for dramatic effect, not because I was breathing heavily or anything. She looked me up and down.

“Come in,” she sighed, opening the door and motioning. I surveyed her condo to make sure Selena wasn’t hiding in the shadows. Al got me a glass of water. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on?”

“Selena’s coming to kill you – thanks,” I said, searching the room frantically in an intimidating battle-ready stance. She tensed for a second but relaxed a moment later. I chugged the glass of water she handed me. “Can you get me another one?” She did so.

“I’m sure I can handle her.”

“You don’t understand, she’s possessed. She can use magic,” I said. She brought me another glass of water; I downed that one too. I was still parched, but I figured it would be rude to ask for more.

“Ok…? Do you know what her power is?”

“Yeah, I think she can make people trust her,” I explained. “Also, she probably has crazy super strength. She knocked me out like I were a child – not that I condone knocking out children.” Al inspected my face.

“I understand. I’m sure she’s a real powerhouse because she knocked you out with such ease,” Al said.

“Why are you so calm? She could attack at any moment!”

“It’s alright. I got it covered.” She put an arm around me and guided me toward the hall. “Come on. You’ve been through a lot. Why don’t you get some sleep?”

“But –” I resisted her moving me.

“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be just fine. I won’t let my guard down,” she said softly.

“Smart thinking. I’m glad I made it in time. I ran like 10 miles to get here.”

“I’m sure you did.” She nodded and guided me through a door. “Here, your room is just how you left it. Now get some sleep.” Al pulled back the covers and I climbed into bed.

“Okay, but wake me up if she shows up,” I said.

“I will.” She tucked me in, and I reluctantly closed my eyes.

“Don’t worry, Al. I won't let her hurt you,” I said. The last thought I had before falling asleep was how comfortable my old bed was.