18. The Garden Dome
Charlie awoke in the hospital. Phoenix and Emma were quietly chatting, sat on chairs beside the three beds that held himself, Peter and Jason. Pushing himself up, he shook his head slightly. His vision was momentarily fuzzy, then it cleared.
“Charlie!” Emma had seen him sitting up. They came over to him and sat on the end of his bed.
“How are you feeling?” Phoenix looked a little anxious.
“I'm ok.” Charlie felt gingerly around a large bruise on his temple.
“Sorry about that.” Phoenix gestured to the lump, smiling sheepishly.
“You kind of had to do it, or we'd have had to do it to you.”
“Also, sorry about setting your base on fire. You clearly got out ok.” added Emma cheerily.
“Yeah. About that. What was your aim exactly?” asked Charlie.
“Given that you lot were being so boring and just sitting there letting everyone else do your dirty work, we thought we needed to flush you out.” said Phoenix. “We knew you had a way to survive, though by what Hamish and Joshua told us when they woke up, you had a complete mental blank.”
“Yeah, they explained why we heard Peter shouting about how you put out a fire with water.” added Emma.
“I bet they all think you're a nutcase now.” smirked Phoenix.
“I know I do.” laughed Emma.
“Thanks.” Charlie smiled. “Maybe I should just introduce myself as Nutcase Charlie.”
“It has a ring to it.” nodded Phoenix thoughtfully.
“Anyway, what happened after I blacked out?” asked Charlie.
“Well, they blew the horn the moment you all were out cold. They came into the forest and led us out, carrying you lot on stretchers. You stayed here overnight. Everyone else has already left, but it seems that you three like your sleep.” explained Phoenix.
“And Emma, are you going to speak to Peter and Jason now?”
“Yes. My payback was knocking Peter out.” Emma smiled. “I have to say, that was very satisfying.”
Jason and Peter began to stir. Charlie swung his legs off the side of the bed and got slowly to his feet. His left leg was throbbing painfully, but it wasn't as swollen as before. With support from Emma and Phoenix, he tottered over to their beds, where they pretty much repeated their last conversation - particularly the part about Charlie being a nutcase.
“My stomach is bruised as well.” groaned Peter. “But I don't remember anything happening.”
“Oh yeah, we forgot to tell you, when you were unconscious you were twitching. Judy was helping carry Jason's stretcher and she tripped over your leg. She landed on your stomach along with the end of Jason's stretcher.” explained Phoenix.
“You just forgot to say?” said Peter incredulously. They all started to laugh at his indignant and shocked expression.
“Why did they keep us here so long?” asked Jason.
“To check that nothing was severely damaged, like your brains.” said Emma.
“Though I do sometimes wonder if there is anything to damage inside.” said Phoenix.
Peter did a very bad fake cough, and Charlie distinctly heard his name. This set them off laughing again.
“You'll never live this down.” smiled Jason.
