Wrestling the Kraken

Dante

Dante

Dante sat in the waiting area of the hospital, leaning forward on his knees. He was doing all he could to be patient and to sit and wait, but his body was revved up. Every limb was ready for motion at the slightest signal, but waiting offered no such signal. Finally he stood up, crossing his arms as he paced the room.

"Mr. Rossini?" He heard behind him. Turning around, he saw two uniformed officers blocking the exit. "Can we ask you a few questions?"

He nodded, walking towards them.

"Can you tell us what happened to your father? Try not to leave out any details."

Dante paused, swallowing hard before answering. "We were in my father's room- " he began.

"We, as in you and your father, or was there anyone else?" The other officer asked.

"Just us. No one else." He answered. "Then I stepped out to get something from my room and- "

"What was it?" The officer asked.

"What was what?"

"The item you went to get from your room. What was it?" The other officer asked, carrying a bit of attitude.

Dante had to think fast. He needed something they could believe. "Some receipts my father had wanted to see."

The officer took down notes, apparently satisfied with the response, and gestured with annoyance for Dante to continue.

"When I got back, the door was opened and my father was injured." Dante held the officer's gaze, unwavering.

"So you didn't see who did it?" The other officer asked.

"No, sorry."

"What about your father? Did he get a good look at his attacker?" This time the officer's attitude carried through in full force.

"No." Dante replied. "He had worn a mask."

The two officers turned to one another and sighed. "Alright, we'll be in touch. We'll let you know if we find anything."

Dante watched them leave, hands in his pockets, his face resolute. When they had enough time to exit the building, he made his way to the nurse's station. "What's the status of my father?"

The nurse was on the phone. She covered the bottom end with her hand, then replied. "He's still in surgery. The doctor will be out soon to talk to you."

He stepped away. "Soon" had been two hours ago. He rubbed the back of his neck and sank back down into the chair. If his father made it through surgery, he would need to ensure that he suffered... complications.