Chapter Ten
Emergency
Cactus Loop / Diggers Cave
Int. Kitchen — Night
The back door CREAKS OPEN.
Sarah
(without turning)
Danny? You better not be dripping fish guts through my clean kitchen.
She turns—and freezes.
Juba, painted in ceremonial markings, sweaty and breathless, stands in the doorway.
Sarah
Jesus H. Christ. You look like you ran through a paintball massacre.
Juba
It’s Danny. He’s hurt.
Sarah stiffens.
The iron scorches the shirt.
She doesn’t notice.
Sarah
What kind of hurt?
Juba
Bullet. Small. Not deep. But bleeding.
She processes.
One beat.
Then moves.
She tosses the iron aside, flicks her cigarette into the sink, and grabs a battered first-aid box.
Hands it to Juba.
Sarah
Take this and get in the van.
Int. Sarah’s Bedroom — Moments Later
She yanks on jeans.
Throws off her blouse.
Pulls a hoodie over her tank top.
Stuffs spare gauze into the kit.
Opens a drawer—inside, a photo of Danny’s father, folded note, old prescription bottle.
She stares at it for a breath.
Slams it shut.
Ext. Sarah’s House — Night
Juba waits by Sarah’s old campervan. Sarah storms out, throws the kit into the back, climbs in.
Sarah
Buckle up, Braveheart.
Juba
He’s by Diggers. Just past the flats.
Sarah
Great. Middle of nowhere and a full moon. Classic Danny.
Int. Campervan — Moving — Night
Sarah drives like she’s late for war.
Her face is calm but her grip on the wheel is tight.
Sarah
He was fine this morning. Watched cartoons, complained about cereal, usual crap.
Juba
It’s not his fault. There’s… weird stuff going on.
Sarah
What kind of weird?
Juba
Signs. Spirits. Maybe something… sacred.
Sarah
(under her breath)
Sacred my ass. If anyone shot my kid, they’re gonna meet a very earthly form of karma.
Ext. Outside Diggers Cave — Night
Danny lies propped against a rock.
Blake tends to him.
Sarah’s van skids to a halt.
She bursts from the driver’s seat, sprinting to her son.
Sarah
Danny! Jesus.
She drops to her knees, opens the kit, assesses the bandage.
Sarah
It’s clean. Who wrapped this?
Blake
(waves sheepishly)
That’d be me.
Sarah
You a medic or just a guy who hangs out shirtless near bleeding children?
Blake
Wasn’t shirtless at the start. Ex-military. Long story.
Sarah
Save it.
She tightens the dressing.
Danny groans but nods.
Danny
I’m okay, Mum. Take it easy.
Sarah
You have a bullet wound on your birthday. You’re not okay.
She looks over at Juba.
Sarah
You—next time you see spirits or omens or whatever, come get me before the shooting starts.
Juba hangs his head.
Sarah brushes Danny’s hair back.
Sarah
Let’s go, Birthday Boy.
They head back to the van. She eyes Blake one last time.
Sarah
Thanks for helping. Try wearing a shirt next time.
Blake nods. She helps Danny inside.
The van peels off into the night.
Blake
Let’s get this space junk into the cave.
Juba
Right, and after, we need to go see my uncle Feelgood. He’ll know what to do.
Blake
How far?
Juba
Couple of clicks.
Blake
Whatever. Lead the way Tonto, before I crack on out of here and leave you all to it.
End of Chapter Ten