[center][h2][color=#3366CC]ᚠᚢᚦ[/color] [color=#3366CC][b][i]Aksel[/i][/b][/color] [color=#3366CC]ᚱᚴᚾ[/color][/h2][/center]
[hr]
	He continued his awkward slog to the community center, eventually finding the right rhythm to balance speed of progress with keeping the French girl’s head from bouncing about too much. Aksel was tall, though not especially muscular. He probably looked ridiculous, but right now he couldn’t care less. He felt like shit regardless, and this poor girl probably had a concussion.

	There suddenly was a strange... [i]sensation?[/i]

	Aksel faltered slightly as the sudden shift made him feel even more off than he already felt. He wasn't sure what he was feeling, but it was not like [i]anything[/i] he'd experienced before. It immediately started to grow. It grew steadily until—

	[color=#3366CC]“What happened?”[/color]

	The girl had begun to stir in his arms. Aksel glanced down at her. She had decided to keep her eyes closed, though he hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep. He figured talking might tether her to the moment. But why was he suddenly feeling so confused and disoriented? He had every right to be, but this was so sudden and until now he felt he was handling the situation fairly well.

	[color=#3366CC]“You—”[/color] He tried to answer her while struggling with the sensation that had suddenly come over him. He tried again a moment later.

	[color=#3366CC]“Something… knocked you out… all of us, actually,”[/color] Aksel finally got out in his Norwegian lilt. He stole another glance at her. She still seemed conscious. [color=#3366CC]“You might have a concussion. So, please, let me know if you feel sleepy. I will do what I can to help you stay awake.”[/color]

	The group was drawing closer together as everyone neared the center. He imagined everyone would change and get the [i]fuck[/i] out of there.

	[color=755FBE]"Is she going to be okay? Do you need help bringing her inside?"[/color] Prince asked as Aksel got closer.

	[color=#3366CC]“I have her,”[/color] Aksel said. [color=#3366CC]“But if someone could hold the door, and help me find a couch or something… I think we might want to call an ambulance or something.”[/color] Aksel looked down with a worried glance at his precious cargo. He lowered his voice. [color=#3366CC]“She was struck in the head well before… [i]that[/i] happened.”[/color]

	Aksel focused back on the girl. That weird feeling that came as she was coming to… it was making him extra uneasy now. Something about the timing, the shift in the air, the way his chest tightened—it was showing on his face. Maybe it was just adrenaline. Maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, it was probably why Prince had offered help, and Aksel was glad for it. For now he—

	[i]Dialogue.[/i]

	He had been distracted, but he recalled the need to keep her talking. He didn’t know what else to do—but this felt right. Words. Connection. Something real.

	[color=#3366CC]“How are you feeling? Uh—your name. Can you tell me your name? And maybe something you remember from before waking up just now? Anything at all. Whatever comes to mind.”[/color]