2 months later Bradin was slowly making his way through the house on crutches trying not to squeak too much. He had just recently been released from the hospital and was still pretty sore. The shooter still hadn't been found, but it was someone that was cut from being the alternate, which didn't narrow it down. He knocked a something on to the floor while he made his way to the kitchen causing Ava to wake up. He tried to pick it up, but the sharp shooting pain was too much causing him to drop the crutches which he had been using for support, this whole thing was getting to be to much, every since he came out of the coma he kept having nightmares about the shooting and he was loosing sleep about it. HE was sitting on the floor of the kitchen next to the sink when Ava appeared. She kindly helped him up and to the couch, where they had sat so often lately.
"Bradin, maybe you should see the therapist, it could help, and you've been having this nightmares for almost a month and a half?"
"Aunt Ava, it isn't that simple, I sleep fine until something reminds me in a dream about it lately, like when I think about surfing it happens it triggers it, I see the shooter, only now, I'm telling myself to drop, but it doesn't work that way, I still end up on the floor with Jay telling me to hold on."
"How about tomorrow you have one session, one to everything out of your head, then afterwards we go out to the beach and relax, or better yet just you and Callie on the beach, I'll go out and surf until your ready."
"Ok, I guess, I can deal with it."
"Good, then go try to get some rest."
"Um, can you help me to my room."
She simply smiles and helps him up and to his bed, where she tucks the covers around him.
The next day Bradin is awakened by Johnny, who helps him up, he was suppose to be using the crutches but he dropped them last night on his venture. Everything was a blurry, he had been so sleep deprived as of lately that if it weren't for someone coming in to help him up he would end up sleeping the day away. Johnny was talking about something, but his whole body was in pain that he just collapsed as soon as he was helped to stand. This wasn't happening, his legs felt numb and it was hard to breathe. Was that who he thought it was, someone in a ski mask?
"Derrick, get the mask off, we aren't going until this weekend." As Ava's voice rang out to the little boy.
Johnny lightly slapped Bradin to wake him up.
"Come on, you need to wash up, your leaving in 20 minutes."
"Johnny, what time is it?"
"Um about 10, why?"
"No reason."
Bradin felt fear building; he went to work in the shop that day around 10 after out surfing for a little practice.
Bradin shower and dressed slowly, barely getting out of the house in time for the appointment. Callie had arrived to go with them; she had been closer than ever. She kept telling him that it had nothing to do with the accident but deep down he knew it did.
At the therapist Bradin explained everything, as clearly as he remember it. Callie and Ava waited for him outside. He slept an hour talking with her, and felt a little more secure than before about it.
On the way back to the house, Ava was trying to get Bradin to decide what he wanted to eat on the beach for lunch, but he didn't say a word. At the House Susannah had already packed something before she left and set it in the refrigerator. Ava went to change into her wet suit and get her board, while Callie carried the basket on one arm and helped Bradin with the other.
They made it to a quiet, empty place along the beach, as Callie set the blanket out. Callie sat down first and Bradin sat next to her. He placed the basket at their feet and were about to relax when they heard a gun cock from behind them.
TBC
