The Known (On Hold)

16

Mal comes running into the changeroom at the completion of the game along with most of the team.

"Where is she?"

"They took her to the hospital."

"Is it?"

"Everyone take a seat, please and we'll talk."

The players do as the Coach asks and take their seats around the room.

"I know everyone is extremely disappointed to have lost the way that we did and contrary to what you may think, I do believe that the tackle on Charlotte was a deliberate attempt to injure and the player should have been ejected. I plan on taking it up with the powers that be later, but I'm not certain that they will be able to do anything about it now. As for Charlotte's condition, we believe that she tore her ACL, and she is currently undergoing some testing to confirm the initial diagnosis. You will be provided with updates when we have them, now, everyone please get ready and we'll head back to the hotel for recovery and a full debrief."

Mal sits in her chair bent over as the tears pour out, she feels a set of arms around her and then another, soon she is surrounded by her teammates. "She'll be okay, Mal."

"I just feel helpless right now, Ash."

Casey looks at them, "We all do, Mal. We're here for you and Charlie if you need us."

Mal nods, "Thanks."

As they head back to the hotel to complete recovery and absorb everything, Charlotte finds herself surrounded by strangers and scared out of her mind.

"Can someone please talk to me?"

She notices one of the trainers from the US team make their way into the room.

"What's going on? Please tell me."

He takes a seat beside her. "Based on the tests, we have every reason to believe that you damaged your ACL, however, until the swelling goes down and we are able to get a better picture of the damage, we don't know if it will require surgery or not."

"Surgery?" He nods. "How long until we know for sure?"

"Probably a couple of days."

"If I need surgery, what are my options?"

"We would have to fly to Sydney for you to have the surgery done or else wait until we get back to the States."

"I want to go home." Charlotte starts crying. "I need Mal, where is she?'

"The team is back at the hotel, right now."

"The game?"

"They lost in extra time 2 -1. You get some rest now and I'll see about getting you sprung from here as soon as possible, okay?"

Charlotte nods and puts her head back, letting the drip do its work.

When she wakes up she feels someone holding her hand and looks over to find Mal asleep in the chair beside the bed.

"Mal? Mally? Wake up."

Mal opens her eyes and yawns before smiling at her, "Hey, you're finally awake."

"Yeah, I guess they gave me some of the good stuff. You okay?"

"I will be once we get you out of here and back to the hotel with me."

"Did they tell you, what's going on?" Mal nods, "Yeah, I'm really sorry, baby."

"You have nothing to be sorry for Mal, there's nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening."