Sirens and lights are all that are going through his head.

People gather, taking pictures of the evidence

he tries to see through his audience’s eyes

her, on the ground in front of him.

The cold pocketknife getting heavier in his hand

her hand, empty.

To them, he was at fault.

An attacker.

Was there any way he could show them what happened?

Her harassing him for his tight pants

Making fun and insulting him for the rainbow flag he wore like a cape.

Her, throwing a beer bottle at him,

Most likely not the first she had had that night.

How could he make them see?

I

t was just self-defense.