I wake with a start, sitting upright suddenly. "Hey, Brooke, relax, you're okay." I can't place the voice as I relocate everything. I need to find him. "Brooke? Where are you going?" He sounds confused.
"I have to find him.. James.. No, Jay.. Ah Jake. Yes I'm going to find Jake."
"Brooke. Sit back down. You'll hurt yourself." I realise I'm standing as he tries to force me back to the bed.
"Jake."
"Yeah. Okay. I'll call him. He's at work but I'm sure they can spare him for a bit." He looks concerned. "Brooke.. Do you know who I am..?" I stare at his face, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, nothing usefully distinguishing.
"Yes." I state, knowing this is the answer he wants. He sighs.
"Okay.. Do you know someone called Chappo?"
"That isn't a name."
"No.. Chris?" I shake my head. "Brooke.. Why do you want to see Jake?"
"He's sad."
"Okay.." He looks lost and I try harder to recognise him. Does he have something to do with animals? I can't catch my thoughts. There's a noise from another room and another person appears at the door. "Mate.." the first guy stands and whispers something, both turning back to me cautiously as they speak. "We're going to get Jake now. He'll be here soon." The second guy steps towards me.
"Brooke.." His voice sounds like a sigh as his eyes fill with unreadable emotions.
"Will you hug me?" I ask, unsure where the words come from.
"Yeah, yeah of course I will." He smiles and sits next to me, hugging me closer to him. "I love you." I mutter.
"Brooke? Do you actually know me?"
"I.. Yes.. I love you.." I panic, it feels like these people really want me to know them. Have they kidnapped me? But then I wouldn't feel so safe would I? They feel important. Distant relations? School friends? I don't know.
"Relax. We don't need to talk. Just sit here." He mutters. "I'm Chappo if you wanted to know. That's Whippet." I nod.
"Beach?"
"Yeah, you remember that? We're lifeguards at Bondi Beach."
"That's in Australia?"
"Brooke." he looks sympathetically at me. "You are in Australia. You've been here for about a month now." A month? How did I get to Australia? Why would they even let me in when I can't work? How did I meet lifeguards? "We're going to be quiet now lovely. You don't need to worry." He kisses the top of my head softly.
"Jake's almost here now." Whippet says. Yes, Whippet and Chappo.
"Deano and Hoppo and Reidy and Jesse."
"Yeah Brooke, they're other lifeguards. it's okay you don't need to think about it right now." Chappo still holds me close to him as he speaks softly. Whippet stands as a door opens and another guy walks in.
"Jake." I'm surprised to find tears falling.
"Do you want us to go?" Chappo asks and I nod. They both leave cautiously, leaving the door open.
"You're sad."
"I'm okay Brooke. We're concerned about you. Do you know me?" I nod.
"Jake. Disney songs. Archery."
"That's good." He looks lost.
"Tell me why you're sad."
"It's nothing important. I just worry about you and Chap. You're ill and they tell me you'll be fine but I can't believe them."
"Jakey.." He smiles at me awkwardly. "You should go surf. Take time off. Go on holiday."
"You know I can't Brooke. Can we talk about you?" I nod. "How do you really feel? Do you know what's happening?"
"I'm okay. How did I get to Australia?"
"Probably by plane.. You came to the beach and met Chap when you arrived. And that isn't you being okay. You don't remember stuff."
"I know you."
"You're not supposed to remember me! You're meant to know Chap! You're in love and you only remember me!" He shouts, tears brimming over his eyes. Both of the other guys come in hurriedly, Whip taking Jake outside and Chap coming to me. Whip and Chap.. That's what I call them.
"Hey lovely. We're going to rest now. Do you want to put a film on or something? I'm right here."
"Captain America?" He laughs.
"Yeah, sounds good. Are you going to educate me on Marvel then?"
"You don't watch it?" He shakes his head, "Then yes. Everyone should be educated on Marvel." Whip comes back as Chap goes to get the DVD.
"Is Jake okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. He's not going back to work but I'm sure they'll find cover."
"What's wrong?"
"He's just scared Brooke. He's in a strange place mentally right now and no one noticed until late. He feels like it's his fault, what happens to people. Especially to you, he cares a lot about you y'know. He looks on you as a sister so he tries to protect you, even more than Chap does. We're going to get him some support and he'll be okay." I nod, accepting the answer. "Do you remember us properly?" I shake my head. "Is this normal for you..? We've not really known you long enough to know.. Usually I'd drag you to the hospital but I don't know.." He seems to be talking more to himself by the final line.
"You mean forgetting stuff? Yeah, I guess so. I think.. Do you know how old I am?"
"Not exactly.. Late twenties?" It seems I've forgotten time as much as people. The last thing I remember I was 17 at home in England.. That is if I believe these guys.. I feel like I can trust them but I'm not exactly known for wisdom. "Brooke.. Hey, calm down. You're okay." He sits by me and hugs me cautiously. "We'll just see what happens later okay?" I nod slowly. Chap comes back in, looking scared as he sees us.
"Okay?" Chap asks as he sits back next to me, pulling my head back onto his chest. The Marvel credits roll on the screen and I smile, one of the few places I feel at home. "We're all okay now. We can just sit and watch." I nod slowly. We don't even watch half an hour before I fall asleep, burying my hands in Chap's top for fear that he'll leave me. I feel safe with him, at least for now.
