Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
The final one wavered a bit on the edge. Brooklyn took her time to balance it. There! That’s it!
She held on to the lower level as she returned to the floor. Oh, no!
Brooklyn made a wild grab for the package as it tumbled. Her foot hit one of the chair legs, sending her off balance. The tiled floor seemed to rush up to greet her with dizzying speed. A brief flash of light and pain hit her before darkness took her.
“Ow!” Brooklyn lifted a hand to her head and immediately slowed her movement as her vision swam. When she finally pressed against the spot that hurt, her fingers touched wet and sticky hair. Had she fallen into water? Reversing the process, the sight of blood coating her skin made her stomach heave.
She struggled to think clearly as she stared in horror at her hand. A pulsing headache pounded inside her skull, making it tough for her to think. She needed help. What should she do? What could she do?
Call someone.
Brooklyn carefully shifted a hand to her pocket. The familiar ridge of her device was gone. Where had she left it? Looking up, she tried to think. Everything was hazy. Was that a black ridge hanging over the middle shelf? Suddenly she remembered setting her phone down there to carry in the packages. Pushing her elbow into the cold flooring, she attempted to sit up and froze when another wave of nausea cascaded over her.
When she regained control, Brooklyn looked around with her eyes to avoid moving her head. Nothing. She moved her arms slowly to search by touch. Refusing to dwell on the scary amount of wetness around her, Brooklyn focused only on her goal. She had to reach her phone. Panicking now wouldn’t help her.
Her fingers closed around a broom handle in the corner. Bringing it in front of her, Brooklyn knocked the phone off the shelf. A gasp of pain burst from her mouth as the corner of the device landed sharply on her right breast. Dismissing the impact as incomparable to her headache, Brooklyn fumbled with her phone.
The chat window appeared on the screen, and she pushed the phone icon. Please let someone answer.
“Brooklyn? You couldn’t wait to talk to us?”
“Giana! I’m sorry to call, but I need help.”
“What’s wrong?” Her friend’s voice immediately changed from friendly to emergency responder efficient.
“Brooklyn? What’s up?” Aspen asked, joining the call.
“Quiet!” Giana demanded. “Brooklyn, what’s wrong?”
“I fell. My head is bleeding. I’m in a lot of pain and can’t move. It makes me sick.” The words tumbled out of her mouth as panic set in.
“I’m sending an ambulance. I’ll meet them there with the code to the garage. Hang on, Brooklyn. It’s going to be okay,” Giana told her.
“Okay, I’m getting sleepy. Wake me up when you get here,” Brooklyn told her, setting the phone down on her chest. It was too heavy to hold on to.
“Brooklyn! Turn on your speaker. You can’t go to sleep.”
Gathering her strength, Brooklyn lifted the phone and squinted. It was hard to see. She pushed the screen where she hoped the right button was.
“…picking pizza flavors?” Pippa’s voice sounded really loud.
“Pippa! Brooklyn hurt herself,” Giana told her. “You and Aspen keep her talking as I drive. Don’t let her go to sleep.”
“Brooklyn! Open your eyes,” Aspen ordered.
“You guys are bossy,” Brooklyn whispered as she tried to block out the loud sound.
“Don’t go to sleep!” Pippa demanded. “We’ll tell your daddy you were naughty.”
“So?” Brooklyn muttered with her eyes closed.
“Your eyes aren’t supposed to be resting right now,” Aspen told her. “I can tell you’re not following directions. Your daddy will spank your bottom.”
“Hard!” Pippa added.
“We’ll get to watch,” Aspen threatened.
Oh, no! She couldn’t believe she was going to be spanked with an audience. Brooklyn wasn’t a pretty crier. She got all snotty and blotchy. Forcing her eyes open halfway, she whispered, “Fine. I’m awake.”
“Thank you, Brooklyn,” Pippa told her. “Do you have Fluffikins?”
“No.”
“Giana will remember him when you go in the ambulance,” Aspen assured her.
“I can’t go to the hospital,” Brooklyn said. “I’ll be okay in a few minutes.”
“We’re close, Brooklyn. You’ll hear the garage door soon. It’s me. You’re safe,” Giana told her.
“You’re still on the line?” Brooklyn asked.
“Yes, I’m here,” Giana assured her.
Struggling to pull herself together, Brooklyn needed to act. “Giana, I don’t have insurance. I can’t pay.”
“I’m here, Brooklyn. That’s the door you hear,” Giana told her.
“Giana?” Brooklyn asked.
“Hey, Brooklyn. I’m here.” Giana stepped around Brooklyn’s form to kneel next to her inside the pantry. She brushed Brooklyn’s hair from her face. “I brought some hot guys to help take care of you. Mark’s a paramedic. He’s good. Let him check you out.”
“You’re trying to distract me,” Brooklyn said. Even with her hazy vision, she could see her friend’s face etched with concern. “My head really hurts.”