Twisted Strings [MONSTER EDITING - Read at your own risk]

Three Minutes

17. Three Minutes 

 I didn't think I had the capability of facing the crowd roaring for us to sing, when Dad was on his way to the hospital. I stood in front of the mic stand, eyeing the audience, while fear pulsated through me. I felt Rhodes reaching for my hand, I didn't turn to look at him as he squeezed it gently.

''Three minutes, Violet. Just three more minutes.'' He whispered in my ear and I tore myself away from the dreadful thoughts swirling in my mind, focusing on the voices of the throngs ready to hear us out.

Three minutes, I remind myself. Dad is fine, he has to be. If I don't sing, I will not only disappoint him, but the rest of the team.

And so, I sang. I closed my eyes and followed the music, letting Lars voice guide me into the song. I poured all our practice sessions in this one performance, singing Fame like that's what I had been preparing for all my life. I heard the crowd join in with us in the final chorus, and just like that amid of the music rising until its final fall, and cheers of the people in front of us, we concluded our performance.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a dream. Hundreds of people shouting, 'Once more!' at the top of their lungs. I glanced at Rhodes, at the impeccable smile on his lips and despite the worry eating me away, a part of me lit up in joy. He looked happy, happier I had ever seen him. It made me smile too.

The curtains closed for us, and I took a minute to run back to our changing room, taking off my mic and the fancy gloves Lana made me wore.

"We will take my car," Lana addressed us, as the rest of the team joined the room, "Rhodes can go with me. You two stay here."

"But..."

Rhodes handed our mics to Lars, "Take this back to the tech team. Tell us the results, okay?"

Lars didn't look like he wanted to stay, but he glanced at me and nodded. I didn't change out of my clothes, even though I felt cold. There was no time for that.

I brushed past them, when Stella's voice made me stop. She grabbed my hand lightly, when she talked her face was lined with worry.

"Hey, he will be fine. Okay?"

I was grateful for her words, for the sincerity in them.

"Thank you..."

Once we piled inside the car, Rhodes took off his jacket and threw it at me in the back. I noticed he didn't say a word. Or even looked at me. Which meant he was annoyed. I slipped on the jacket, too cold to refuse it and mumbled a thank you. He didn't respond.

I didn't complain about Lana's driving this time. She sped like she was drag racing. None of us talked and the silence was more gruelling than I could have imagined. I sneaked a look at Rhodes from the review mirror, his face was turned towards the window, his jaw set and his eyes hard. I forced myself to look away. I would talk to him later. Right now, Dad's health was more important.

We reached the hospital in less than ten minutes. I got out of the door as soon as Lana parked. I didn't wait for her and Rhodes to follow, I bolted inside, following Elliot's instructions for finding Dad's room.

He was being kept in a general ward. I spotted Elliot and Linda talking in hushed tones. Oliver was nowhere in sight and Dad was asleep. There was an IV drip attached to him, but otherwise he looked okay.

"Why are you running? I told you he's okay." Elliot said to me.

"Let's talk outside." Linda grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the ward and towards the waiting area. There were no benches in the corridor, so I sagged against the wall, trying to catch my breath. Maybe running like a lunatic was a bad idea.