"No dragons. At least not today," I said, trying to keep his focus on me instead of the approaching ambulance. "They're here to help, okay? It's all going to seem really fucking weird, but trust me, it's okay."

He had no reason to trust me, of course, but if he got spooked, all he was going to do was make himself worse, and stranger or not, I didn't actually want to watch some guy bleed out in the vacant lot by our apartment.

"My name's Neil," I said, glancing towards the ambulance as it pulled up to the curb, two EMTs hustling out. "I was just on my way past. It's my lucky day, I guess." I managed a smirk, staying put even as the EMTs rushed over, their eyes a little wide as they took in the scene.

"Little help?" I asked, giving the first one, a woman, a thin-lipped smile.