"We do," I agreed, then smiled and wiped more blood from Eddie's cheek. "We look out for each other."

For so long it had felt as if I was the only one who ever looked out for anyone. I had to keep Peter from doing anything too foolish, I had to look out for the other boys, for Charlie, and while I knew they cared for me and would have even fought the monster, they wouldn't have done it for me. They would have done it for the fight. For the adventure.

This felt so much better.

"You two need to get cleaned up," one of the volunteers said and I looked up at her and nodded. Eddie's cheek was bleeding and I knew my calf still was as well, but I didn't want them to separate us.

"We'll go up to the bathroom," I answered, then slowly got to my feet and held my hands out to Eddie. "We'll be okay."