Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

95: Incoming Delivery

For some of us, the best thing was to face problems head on, present in the moment, instead of running away from everything.

'JOSH!'

'It's okay Tati, I'm here. I'm always here'

A look of concern etched all over his features, in that moment faced with the idea of his girlfriend dying. Tatijana was not well. She was not okay. Panic and nothing but true, deep, paralysing fear filled her eyes. She was so sure she was going to die.

And on the other hand, there were those of us who chose to run, and didn't even want to give something, or someone, rather, a chance.

'LOTTE, LOTTE STAY WITH ME. STAY AWAKE. BELLA, GET HELP!' Monique Cripps screamed, cradling the injured girl's head. Bella staggered to her feet, sprinting out of the room, not even sure who to get. All she could think of, was Zac. He knew Lotte well.

She wasn't dead. And, she wasn't completely unconscious. Blacking in and out, she glanced up at Monique through dark, hazy vision. 'Wha...What's going on?' She whispered.

'It's okay. Security has gone to call for help and I'm not even sure where Bella has gone' Monique said, her heart racing too. Her severe OCD couldn't take it. Lotte had started, very noticeably, bleeding out. It was beyond clear something had gone seriously wrong with her pregnancy.

Lotte didn't answer, but her eyes fixed up on Monique, who realised she may have been blacking out again.

'We really need to know more about your pregnancy, so we can pass it on to the relevant peopl-'

'OH MY FUCKING GOD!' Jordan Boyd yelled, running into the suite where the two women were. He covered his mouth in shock, and a little disgust. Claudia quickly ran in after him, gasping. 'What happened?' She asked, hand in the air questioning the situation. Jordan forced himself to look at the doorway. He couldn't bear to see Lotte, or anyone for that matter, in so much pain.

'Where does she belong? I just realised, we have to call an emergency contact or someone. Did she come here with anybody?' Monique asked, genuinely concerned. Jordan pulled a face, struggling to remember. 'Yeah. Zac Fisher. But I think Grace was going to go and see if anyone was sitting in Lotte's seats. She has her bag and paper ticket' He explained.

'And all I know, is that she doesn't even live in Melbourne. She came down because she was friends with Ginnivan, she knows the Collingwood guys. Adam and I couldn't even tell you where she lives. We only know her through his brother, Luke.' Claudia added, clarifying her part. 'Wait. She has a housemate in Perth. I do know that. Oh my god, yes. Luke and the housemate were coming here today, to surprise Lotte. Christ, what a bad time' she continued. Jordan nodded.

'I might go and see if I, you know, can't sneak in somewhere, alert someone from Collingwood. Pass me her scarf? Might help me blend in' Jordan said, putting his said out and waiting. Claudia sighed. 'NO' both girls said at the same time.

'Whatever. I'll be back.' Jordan said, rolling his eyes and taking off down the corridor. 'Crucify me for covering up my pain with humour and sarcasm' he muttered to himself, shaking his head.

Down in the Collingwood rooms, of course with Lotte's bad timing, something else was happening. Like perhaps, an agreement of sorts.

Caitlin Lycett put her arm around Darcy, leaning into his side. 'What are you going to do?' She asked quietly. He pretended he hadn't heard her.

'They don't want you to captain. That's the only problem. The only thing. They're all happy to play if Scott, or somebody else is captain. I don't think it's such a hard decision' Interim coach Jordan Roughead said, sighing and folding his arms. He glanced down at the mentally drained team. 'Carlton aren't going to wait forever' he added.