Eddie nearly jumped back when the snake kwami jumped out to berate him in a rather odd way of speaking. "I came back to see if Serpentine was still here. I didn't expect to take as long as I did getting the others out of there so the paramedics could help them. I didn't expect to find out the girl I've been crushing on for a year to-" He speed himself, not knowing how Tonya would react.

He felt Beek climb up on his shoulder before following his friend behind Tonya's hair. "Ossar!" he whispered happily, moving to hug the snake. "It's been forever."

Eddie stayed with Tonya as the paramedics lifted her on the stretcher. Holding her hand, he said nothing. The look in his eyes betrayed his feelings for her, the surprise that she was Serpentine, and the emotional pain that he couldn't protect her better. Just before they lifted her into the ambulance, he finally spoke. "Call me when you get out."

Beek hadn't said anything to the snake, mostly in fear of being caught, but was quick to try for a hug again before moving quickly and stealthily back into Eddie's hood. "Is she still mad?" he asked,  trying not to let anyone else but Eddie hear him. With a shrug, he began the walk back to school.

Once at school, he was sent to the principle's office for leaving school grounds. There was nothing to say that would keep him out of trouble so he took his punishment, a week of after school detentions.

-----

Matthew Rhodes watched from a distance as the paramedics quickly worked to get everyone to the hospitals. The majority of them were taken to the closest, the University of Louisville Hospital. He had considered trying to blend in with the crowd to give him better access to another potential akuma but had decided against it. It was time to go to Germantown.