Ballistic Kiss (Sandman Slim 11)

I carry Janet to the van and lay them down near the air-conditioning vent in the back. When they open their eyes I say, “I’m getting you to Allegra’s right now.”

They put their hand onto my hand.

“No tricks. You promised.”

“Fuck that, you need a doctor.”

“Dan and Juliette have a private clinic.”

I push some hair from their face.

“Does that mean you’ve been hurt before?”

They pat my arm.

“It’s okay. I’m feeling better. Let me rest.”

I sit down next to them.

“I wonder how Manimal Mike and Maria are doing.”

“You should go check on them.”

“I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Ask Juliette. She’ll come and sit with me.”

“I don’t trust her.”

Janet shoves me weakly.

“Go check on Mike and Maria. And, Stark?”

“Yes?”

“I mean it when I say no tricks. If you do anything, I won’t like you anymore and you’ll have to find a new donut shop.”

I look outside. The wind has changed and smoke is blowing in this direction. The air stinks and the sky is giant swirls of jet black. I get out and tell Juliette that Janet wants her.

She looks at me with something that might be sympathy or might be a suppressed laugh.

“Of course, dear. I’ll take care of everything for you.”

“They said you know a clinic.”

“They’re waiting for us right now. We’ll be leaving soon.”

She heads for the van and I walk around the Lodge members. It’s getting hard to breathe, but most of them seem to be back. I spot Mike and Maria at the top of a trail. Another couple is struggling to get up the last section of their climb. The woman’s hair is wild, blowing in the wind that’s pushing the smoke in our direction. She’s practically dragging her partner, a little guy whose jacket and shirt are in tatters.

I grab Mike.

“Are they the last ones?”

Mike nods.

“Yeah. I wouldn’t want to be them. Dan will be getting their penalty ready.”

“He’s still going to do it? Look at them. They’re already half-dead.”