Who: Daniela (narrative). What: A guard destroys an innocent flower. When: Early evening, Thursday, June 20, 2019. Where: City sidewalk; Route between the Marigold Arts Center and Daniela’s apartment. Rating: Mostly low - slight language. Status: Complete.
It had been a long day. A good one, but long nonetheless. Dani was on her way home from the arts center with a large potted plant resting snugly in her arms. It was the hibiscus plant that Roman had delivered to the center that Sunday. A ‘just because’ gift that she treasured. It was so gorgeous and the accompanying letter was so sweet. While the flower was specifically her, she left it at the center for a few days, deciding to show off her gift while she readied her apartment for its eventual arrival. She had ultimately decided on a spot near her bedroom window where she could be welcomed by its colors every morning.
She was quietly humming as proceeded down the sidewalk, paying little mind to the man, a guard based on the uniform, that was walking from the opposite direction. They were a sufficient width apart; they wouldn’t run into each other. At least that is what she assumed. Without a warning, the guard suddenly swerved, causing their shoulders to collide.
"Oh, sorry," she quickly apologized out of habit despite the man being the one in the wrong. It should have been him apologizing to her but the chances of that were slim to none. He had the look of trouble in his eyes; he had purposely run into her with the intent to start something.
"Yeah, you should be sorry,” he responded roughly, standing up a little straighter to appear more menacing. It might have worked better if he didn’t have such a lanky and awkward frame. “Walking around like you own the place. Running into people. What’s your name?"
You mean like you? Dani wanted to retort but bit her tongue. Sassing a guard, especially one that was obviously looking for a fight, was a foolish thing to do. It could get you locked up, or beaten, or worse. "Daniela Marti--"
"Where's your ID?" He interrupted with suspicious eyes. What if I don’t have one? What if I actually worked here? Wouldn’t you look stupid, she thought doing her best not to let her irritation show.
"It's here," she answered, moving the potted plant just enough to show off the identification card. The man yanked the plant out of her arms with a gruff command to let him see. He leaned forward to get a look at the idea though it was clear he wasn’t really interested in what it had to say.
"I see," was all he said. He straightened and extended the potted plant toward her. It was very nearly in her hands when the man lifted it up and slammed it down hard onto the concrete. Dani let out a surprised shout, her wide eyes focused on the flower and soil spilling from the broken pot. Before she could react, the guard stepped onto the plant, grinding it down into the ground.
Dani fell to her knees, reaching out to the mangled flower when it was finally freed from his foot. "You're not allowed to hide you identification." His face was straight minus the slight upturn of his lips into a smug smirk. "Don’t do it again." He turned his back and walked off without another word.
Fucking bastard. She watched him leave, daggers shooting from her eyes. If looks could kill he would have been dead ten times over. "You poor thing," she told the flower as she scooped it up into her hands. It was greatly damaged; there was a chance for its survival but she needed to act quickly. "You’ll be okay." It had to be. Standing up, she hurried in the direction of her home, leaving the broken pieces of clay pot and soil behind.