#replacement risk

Destined One x OC Jen

(Prompt - Injury)

(Warning - Character injury)

            Pain. That was the first thing Jen registered as she came too. A dull throbbing at the back of her head and a ringing in her ears. She slowly opened her eyes and winced at the bright light. The world was a spinning mix of colors that left her dizzy. Smoke and soot burnt her nose, turning her stomach with the acidic scent. She tried to get up but her body wouldn’t cooperate, limbs weak and heavy where she laid on the ground.

            The last thing she remembered was the bridge. Monkey had been ahead, taking on the tiger’s acolyte while Jen gave long range support, returning arrows to the archers taking potshots at them. Bringing up the rear was Marianne, consulting their jumbled mess of a map. The group was nearly across when all hell broke loose.

            “Watch out!” Mari shouted, pushing Jen forward while she scrambled for cover.

            Jen had seen an arrow with a lit fuse strike the ground just before it exploded. The sound was deafening, the heated blast slamming into her chest. She was flung off her feet and sent crashing into a stone pillar before her mind went blank.

            Still regaining consciousness, the woman blinked as a face swam into view. Mari. She barely looked at Jen, annoyance clear in her half-second glance. A tug on Jen’s belt pulled her translator talisman loose and into Mari’s eager hand.

            “It’s no use,” her voice echoed over the ringing. “We need to go before the other rats come to investigate.”

            Mari was shouldered out of the way as another person came into focus. Monkey. He looked panicked, dark eyes wide with concern and mouth pulled into a deep frown. Jen tried to smile but winced when it twinged her aching head.

            Slow and steady, Monkey lifted her off the ground and leaned her against the wall. His hands felt along her skull until she flinched, gently brushing the bump under her hair. The grimace deepened but he cooed in reassurance, checking Jen over for other injuries.

            Mari watched on with increasing impatience. “Just leave her! She’s no good to us in this state; she’ll only slow us down!”

            Monkey shot Mari a warning glare, lips pulled back just enough to show the tips of sharp teeth. She quickly backed off, hands up in surrender; Jen noticed one of them was still clutching her jade talisman. With a final huff, Monkey turned back to his injured companion.

            “I’ll be fine,” Jen said though she knew Monkey wouldn’t understand without the translator. She smiled softly and patted his hand. “Just hit my head a little.”

            Shoving off the wall, Jen stood and instantly became dizzy. The world spun and the ground shifted as she stumbled sideways. Quick hands caught her and tucked her against Monkey’s side. Jen’s head was still throbbing and her balance was skewed; there was no way she could keep up with the others.

            “Whatever we’re doing, we need to do it fast,” Mari said, grabbing Jen’s backpack and bow. “If we keep moving forward, we might be able to find a hiding spot before the rats catch up.”

            Monkey nodded but didn’t let go of Jen. Instead, he knelt down and wrapped her arms around his neck before lifting her onto his back. Any other time, she would have argued, but the pain and vertigo dismissed her complaints.

            Mari scowled, muttering in disapproval. “I still say we leave her.”

            Growling quietly, Monkey marched passed her and continued their trek across the bridge. Even with Mari’s glare digging into her back, Jen clung to Monkey, selfishly relieved she hadn’t been abandoned.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------