Fated Hearts(In Deep Editing)

Chapter One

Aubrey's POV

Driving down this dark road at night has not been my brightest idea, but I don't want to stop for the night just yet. Stopping to sleep in South Dakota is risky enough. I need to keep moving.

I take a shaky breathe, running my hand through my blonde curls. It is a damn nuisance, my hair, and not for the first time I wished it was naturally straight. Or at least wavy. Gripping the steering wheel I blink rapidly, my eyes almost shutting. I need a shower, a hot meal and a warm bed. God, what i wouldn't give for nice hot bath.

It had stopped snowing thankfully, so as I pass a sign I'm able to read that I'm near a town in Montana. Okay, Aubrey, you can make it fifteen more miles. I can even see light polution over the trees. Not long now and i can take a break. My left knee feels stiff and i stretch it out a little. Long trips always made me feel restless. My parents always had to pull over and let me stretch when i was a kid.

Humming to the song on the radio, i rap my thumbs on the wheel. Snow is beating against the windshield as my poor whipers desperately try to keep up. The road curves and I pass a huge, furred shadow. My jaw drops and I'm not sure why I'm surprised to see a huge grizzly by the road. I mean, c'mon this is Montana. Maybe it's because I've never seen one; I didn't realize they were that big.

I hadn't realized that they would just roam the side of the damned road, especially in winter. Don't bears hibernate?

I'm distracted so I miss the sign indicating a sharp curve ahead. One of my tires catches a patch of ice and fishtails. I press the brakes and my car drifts on a patch of ice, running off the road and slamming into an embankment.

My forehead bounces off the steering wheel when the car jerks to a stop. My vision blurs, ears ringing and a metallic taste fills my mouth. I've bitten my lip. Breathing heavily, I stiffly look to my left, finding my door is blocked by a big pile of snow. Shit. A warm trickle runs down my forehead, and i realize its blood as i wipe it with a trembling hand.

I officially have the worst luck is my last thought as my vision blurs. I'm not sure how long I've been unconscious when I hear metal creaking, and a low growl rumbles through the small space, then large hands are reaching for me.

I feel warm and so, so sleepy. My eyes crack open taking in the roof of the truck and the hum of an engine. It smells so nice in here. I fade back out.

**********

I'm awakened by the most annoying *beep, beep* sound I've ever heard. It sounds like a gong. Groaning I adjust my sore limbs in the very stiff bed I'm in. My head feels like there's a monkey playing the congas. I look down to see that I'm wearing a white gown, connected to an IV and heart monitor. All around me is clean, sanitized equipment. Memories of what happened come crashing back, no pun intended. Good going, Aubrey, way to land yourself in the fucking hospital!

A knock at the door signals the arrival of an elderly man in a white lab coat. He has weathered, chocolate skin and a graying go-tee. Chocolate brown eyes crinkle at the corner as if he knows something I don't. "Well good afternoon! My name is Dr. Williams. How is your head feeling?"

I shrug wondering how the hell did I even get here. "I've had worst. How did I even get here?" I don't want to be rude, but I do have to go and find a way to fix my car. Where is my car? Shit, shit, shit. He chuckles, coming to sit in the chair beside my bed. "Kane, the gentleman who brought you in, said you messed your car up pretty badly. Is there anyone I can call for you?"

I shake my head, even though the motion makes me dizzy. I could call someone, but that just means that he  could track me down. And that can't happen. "No, thank you. Its been just me for a while now." He nods, looking at his hands in thought. "Where were you headed, if I may ask? Your car won't be finished for at least a week for repairs. But I could call you a cab?" So someone towed it. That's probably gonna be a pretty penny getting out of the lot. Smiling at him through tight lips I'mdetermined to be polite."I'll be fine. Is there a hotel nearby? Preferrably within walking distance."

His face lights up. Weird. "Actually Lucy's diner needs a temporary waitress. One of her girls is on her honeymoon so she's shorthanded. That is if you need some place to stay and could use some extra cash." Oh boy. How can I explain without details that I can't stay?

"Is this one of those towns where everyone knows everyone?" I laugh teasing him. "Absolutely!" He laughs in return.

We talked for a while, and he signed my release forms. He also gave me a paper with an address to the mechanics as he escorts me throught the exit of the clinic. "Thank you so much. I really appreciate you being so kind to me. Its been a while since someone's done that."

"Its no trouble at all. I have a good feeling about you. I hope to see you again soon." We shake hands, his palm warm against my cold.

"Maybe."

I give a small wave and hitch my coat closer as I step into the cold air.