Bending in on himself Mike brings his arms up feebly to protect his head. Lars keeps punching, hurling his body weight into Mike’s side, one fist lands on his left shoulder, two have caught his chin. Lars is yelling but Mike’s ears are ringing too much to understand him.

So much for worrying Lars wouldn’t care. Whatever this is, it’s not indifference. He’s definitely regretting not calling first though.

Mike retreats as much as possible into the wall of the Canadian Olympic ice rink. Lars punches the wall twice then steps back. He stares and says stupidly, “You’re alive then.”