"Come on, Shel, you're not going to let a little dirt scare you, are you?" Eugene Krabs taunted, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he looked back at his best friend. The two of them were racing down the dirt path that snaked through the park, the setting sun casting long shadows over the dry, cracked earth. Sheldon Plankton, a year younger and a head shorter, determinedly picked up the pace. He didn't want Eugene to think he was a wimp. Suddenly, Sheldon's foot caught on a jutting rock, and he tumbled forward. He felt the sting of gravel biting into his palms and heard the sickening scrape of his knee against the unforgiving ground. Eugene stopped in his tracks, his laughter dying as he saw his friend sprawled out, tears of pain already welling up in his eye. "Oh man, are you okay?" Eugene rushed over, his concern genuine. Sheldon rolled over, clutching his knee, his breath coming in quick, ragged gasps. A patch of red was spreading. The two boys inspected the injury together, and Eugene's grin faded as he took in the raw flesh and the blood that was already starting to crust over. "We gotta get you home. That looks like it really hurts." With Eugene's help, Sheldon managed to stand up, his knee throbbing with every step. They began to walk back to Eugene's house, the laughter and excitement of their race replaced by a solemn silence. As they approached the white picket fence that surrounded Eugene's garden, Sheldon could see Eugene's mother through the kitchen window. She was busy preparing dinner, her silhouette flickering against the orange glow of the setting sun. Eugene's mother, Ms. Krabs, noticed them approaching and quickly came out to see what had happened. "Oh dear Neptune" she exclaimed, rushing over with a cloth and some antiseptic. Shel's knee was now a mess of dirt and blood, but Ms. Krabs calmly cleaned the wound, dabbing at it gently with the cloth. "You're going to be fine, just a scrape. It'll sting a little, but it'll heal up good as new." Her voice was a balm to Sheldon's fear, and he watched as she applied the antiseptic with careful precision. The burn was sharp, but the pain was already easing, and Sheldon took a deep breath, trying to be brave. "Thank you, Ms. Krabs," Sheldon mumbled, his voice thick with unshed tears. Ms. Krabs gave him a comforting smile. "You just sit down on the couch and let me get a band-aid. You're going to be as good as new in no time," she said soothingly. Sheldon limped into the living room, feeling the warm embrace of Eugene's family home surround him, but he barely registered it. His mind was too focused on the throbbing in his knee and the sting of the antiseptic. Eugene, ever the problem-solver, went to his room and grabbed a handful of comic books from his shelf. "Here, these should keep your mind off it," he said, handing them to Shel as his mother returned with a colorful band-aid. Ms. Krabs carefully covered the wound with the bandage, her deft hands making it look almost like artwork. She patted it gently and said, "There, now you're all set." Eugene plopped down on the couch beside Sheldon, eyes glancing over the comic books. "Which one do you want to read first?" he asked, eager to distract his friend from the pain. Sheldon managed a small smile, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. He picked up the topmost comic, feeling the comfort of familiar superheroes and their fantastical adventures. The warmth of the room and the gentle hum of Ms. Krabs preparing dinner in the background soon began to soothe their nerves. Sheldon's eyelid grew heavy, and he found himself drifting into a light doze, the images of the comic book characters dancing in his mind. When Ms. Krabs called them for dinner, she found Sheldon fast asleep on the couch, his head lolling to one side, the bandaged knee sticking out awkwardly. Eugene looked up, apologetic. "I'll wake him up," he offered, but she shook her head. "Let him rest," she whispered, her voice a comforting lullaby in the evening air. She covered Sheldon with a soft blanket from the armchair, tucking it gently around his small frame. His breathing was even, and a faint snore escaped his lips as his body succumbed to the exhaustion of the day. Eugene led her into the kitchen, his steps careful not to wake his friend. The scent of roast chicken filled the air, making his stomach grumble. "I'm sorry about his knee, Mommy," he said, his eyes cast down to the floor. Ms. Krabs waved away his apology, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "It's just a scrape. You two were bound to get into some sort of trouble. It's what boys do." She placed a warm hand on his shoulder, her eyes full of understanding. "Why don't you call his parents and let them know he'll be staying for dinner?" Eugene nodded, relieved, and went to the phone. As he dialed, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He had been so caught up in the moment of their race, the thrill of competition, that he had forgotten about his friend's limitations. Ms. Plankton picked up, and he explained the situation, his voice a mix of apology and assurance. "Don't worry, Ms. Plankton," Ms. Krabs' voice interrupted from over his shoulder, taking the phone from him. "He's in good hands. We'll have him cleaned up and fed, and I'll make sure he's ready for bed when it's time. You can pick him up in the morning if you like." Eugene watched as his mother spoke soothingly into the receiver, and he felt his guilt ease slightly as they hung up. "Thanks, Mother," he says, his voice grateful. He looks at his friend, who's now snoring gently on the couch, and feels his chest tighten with a mix of pity and determination. He'll make it up to him, somehow.