"Right so the same rules apply here. It's basically a similar shot to start with." Craig tells us as he opens the door. A series of foam orcs stand in front of us. "We'll have two at a time again. Jake and Brooke shooting first as reigning champions."
"Let's kill these orcs Jake!" I grin as Chap takes the crutches again.
"We are actually competing y'know." Jake laughs.
"Okay, off we go then, different hits score different points and we'll see how we go." Craig says as Jake and I nock the arrows. Again, I focus on where my joints are as I shoot at the closest orc. I hit his head first time. Jake's shot hits his feet. My head clouds but I fight to continue shooting, my second shot misses the next orc completely, the third only hitting an arm. "You feeling okay Brooke?" Whip asks, nervously. They should learn not to disturb a girl with a weapon as I jump and almost shoot!
"Yep, they seem to be avoiding my shots!" I smile and draw again, managing to hit one in the chest. The final two arrows hit two more, one in the head and one in the stomach. As soon as I finish shooting, Whip takes my bow and helps me sit back on the chairs. My head feels full but my vision stays clear. "I'm okay. Who won?"
"You always beat me Brooke." Jake laughs as he takes Whip's place next to me, practically holding me upright. "We'll let them shoot then take a break right?"
"But we didn't kill all the orcs! One more round. Please?"
"We'll see how you are." He says noncommittal which generally means no. We watch Chap and Whip attempt to hit the orcs relatively unsuccessfully. They both hit twice each. I can see Chap's draw still weakening but he refuses to rest until he finishes shooting. As soon as he does, Jake helps him back to me.
"Both of you need to rest now. Can you get through to the other room?"
"I'm fine." I say as Chap nods.
"We'll rephrase it then. Brooke, Chap needs to rest. Chap, Brooke needs to rest. Can both of you agree on that?"
"Leave us here for a minute?" I ask and Jake nods, going to help Whip with the arrows. "We're going to tell the truth now. How are you really feeling?"
"Obviously tired but not really that bad. I've got a bit of a headache but I feel okay." Immediately I worry, a headache after the injury he sustained isn't great. "How about you?"
"Yeah I'm good." He looks pointedly at me. "I don't know until I try to move. I also don't know comparatively to a 'normal' person because I'm always like this.. I think we should rest and eat something though. We can shoot again in a bit right?"
"Yeah of course." he smiles as Whip and Jake come back, followed by Craig. "We're going to have a break now."
"Alright, we've got the room set up. I'll be there in a minute. Take it easy guys." Craig says, smiling at us. Jake helps me to my feet and hands me the crutches. Whip and Chap go ahead of us as Craig stays behind resetting the range.
"You need to tell us what's happening.." I nod as I feel my body fill with lead and my eyes darken.
"Can we sit..?" I mutter.
"There's no chairs here Brooke. I can carry you to them?" I shake my head but immediately fall to the floor, feeling my hip slip as I land. "Whip!?" Jake shouts as he strokes my arm. "What hurts Brooke?" he asks, tears standing in his eyes. It scares me to see him so upset as he looks over my body. "Your hip?" I nod as he holds me closer.
"Hey Brooke, we're here. You're okay." Whip smiles as he places the ice around my hip. I don't know where Chap is, something must have happened. "Relax. You need to try to relax Brooke, he's okay I promise. Craig is with him. I don't know if we can do this for you.. Can we call an ambo?" I shake my head adamantly. "If we just had some pain relief it would be better.." he mutters, under his breath, obviously trying to work out whether he can get to Bronte quickly enough.
"Brooke.. This isn't what we're trained for.." Jake is now crying and Whip looks confused. "We're going to hurt you more if we try."
"I can.." I push my leg outwards, freeing the joint slightly as my vision blurs.
"Be careful Brooke.." Whip says, "We can do something if you need." I nod and take his hand, placing it on the joint, the other under my thigh. Jake holds me tighter as I force my leg back to the right place, with Whip's help. Almost as soon as it's back my eyes go black and my breathing falters.
"Deep breaths, Brooke. You're okay. Everything's fine now. Just rest here. We'll move in a minute. Just rest now." Whip attempts to calm me before I hear him leave.
"Hey Brooke.." Jake's speech comes in gasps, obviously between tears. "Open your eyes for me.. Please.." I force my eyes open, needing to see why he is so upset. "Hey.." He kisses the top of my head softly, "You can't go anywhere.. He's gone to get Chap and then we'll get you both home. You're okay. You just stay with us now.." I realise he's talking about me dying.
"I'm fine." I smile awkwardly. "You talk." He shakes his head.
"Not right now Brooke. We're going to get you safe first." He helps me sit up as I see Whippet half carrying Chappo, both of them try to smile but fail.
"What happened?" I try to stand but Jake stops me.
"He's okay. Take it slow." He carries me out to the car as I see the concerned, and quite frankly terrified face, of Craig. I don't like knowing that this is what people feel when they see me. Jake places me in the car before walking away, to the other side of the car park.
"Go." I tell Whip who follows him quickly. "What happened to you?" I ask Chap cautiously as he stares blankly.
"Passed out.. Stress.."
"Because of me?" He shakes his head.
"No. I love you." His eyes close but I can't sleep until I see Jake is okay. When they appear it's obvious Jake has tried to calm down. Whip smiles at me.
"Sleep Brooke, we're all okay."
"Are we really?" I look pointedly at Jake.
"We can talk when everyone's calm and feeling better. You need to rest now." Jake's voice is cautious and almost inaudible but at least I can hear him. "You know you need to rest now Brooke. For your own sake." I nod and lay my head against the window, surprised by the tears that leak out. Eventually I fall asleep and the guys carry me into the house.
