Lion's Pride

Chapter 12

D . a . n . i . e . l . l . e

THE SCREECHING OF MY TIRES RING OUT IN THE HOSPITAL parking lot loud and clear. There were cars everywhere, making me the least bit pleased. I definitely could own up to the fact that I was previously driving well over the speed limit. It was a miracle that traffic happened to be at a minimum, making me not care about flying through the highways. I had to try my absolute best to get to Montie and more importantly, Rayne. She has to be in an unbearable mindset of pain, both physically and mentally. I cloud my mind with her as I smoothly turn the car around so that the trunk of it led the way backwards. The Mercedes' Benz nearly glides into the space, understanding the assignment. It dawned on me that I had taken up a handicapped parking space, reading the labeled sign behind me. Not caring even the slightest bit, I turn the car off and listen as the hum of the engine slowly dies down.

My hands grab at my phone as it suddenly rings and an unknown number flashes across the screen. Furrowing my eyebrows, I decline the call just before quickly placing it in the back pocket of my light washed skinny jeans. Hopping out of the jet black colored car with the key fob in hand, I take off in a quick sprint. I abruptly stop, nearly running over a young kid as he walks with what looked like his parents. The small family seemed close as they all waltzed side by side. Toy soldiers hang from the little boys pocket, nearly falling to the ground. He wore a bright blue and white jersey from the NY Giants team, specifically with the number 13 on it under a little brown jacket.

"Excuse me, I am so sorry." I nearly fly pass the little family, making some of the strands of hair the boy has on his head stand up and wave around in the air aimlessly. The father mutters something under his breath and if I wasn't in such a hurry, I would have stopped and gave him what he asked for but, I keep pushing forward.

Going through the more than familiar hospital rotating plexiglass doors, I slow down my crazed speed and come to a halt at the front reception desk. There wasn't as much of a long line as I would have expected to be greeted with. The sound of coughing and weezing is now around me, surrounding my entire body along with the slight thought of being contaminated. I put my shirt up and over my nose, feeling the least bit protected by the fabric. I join in on the line of a mere 4 people and take my stance, tapping my foot with anticipation. I hated having to wait on certain things and right now definitely was one of the times that I didn't want to. The person in front of me smelled like he had been chain-smoking cigarettes all of his life and it bothered me to the fullest because I absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes. Not that I would ever down the man for his own life choices, I just couldn't see myself doing so.

"I may be trippin' but haven't we met before beautiful?" I turn around in my heels, seeing a large, handsome man behind me. He was built to a tee, and rocking a fresh fade. Tattoos blanket his skin and face, making the man seem more dangerous than he looked. Wheat Timberlands stand out against the dark black Nike sweatsuit he wore, a silver chain around his neck. The shine of it gleaming under the white lights of the waiting room. I am relieved of the non-pleasing smell before me as I eye the man up and down closely.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we have sir." Being polite, but not really in the mood to talk, I just turn back around and continue to inhale the cigarette smell. There was a slight waft of the scent Teakwood cologne that hit my nose when I go to cross my arms against my chest. I heavily contemplate pivoting back to the stranger behind me. I just knew he had to have been the one wearing the manly scent.

"Dani?" He says my name which surprises me. I blink twice, once again facing him with the squinting of my eyebrows. Maybe he knew me because of TV but, anytime somebody would address me, whether it's a talk show host or a fan of Kane's, they would always be respectful and say my formal name, Danielle.