Beauty and the Beasts

Chapter Four- Doctor Dearest

Beads of sweat dripped down my forehead, landing sporadically on my white shirt. Damp hair matted to my face and clung to my cheeks. I slid out from under the comfort of my duvet and walked into my bathroom. The ambient lighting made my skin look golden, my eyes look a creamy electric blue and my lips look pink and supple… but I didn’t feel beautiful. I felt disgusting.

That nightmare was becoming one of expected reoccurrences. I used to try and drink to help me sleep, but it would only postpone the dream until my mind was clear enough to conjure the memory. I preferred to get it over with quickly, letting me clean my face and eventually drifting back to sleep.

“Damn you, pops,” I whispered, staring at my tired and sad eyes. I watched as the clear glass sink filled with water before I dipped my head in completely. Sound was gone, light was gone, I just had cold droplets prodding themselves at my pores, washing my past off.

I wiped my face with a plush towel and stood in the doorway, looking into the expansion of my room. It was beautiful, amazing, mine. So I had to whore around a little bit… I could be doing worse things, and for a lot less.

I slipped back under the goose down, closing my eyes and praying to whatever higher power there was that my dad would stay the hell out of my unconscious.

***

“Wake up, she’s a bitch if you’re late,” I opened my eyes slowly to a petite redhead sticking her head in behind the door.

“Shit, thanks,” I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my face.

“Can I…can I come in?” She asked hesitantly.

“Ya, of course,” I smiled, well, whatever my mouth could twist into, given the fact most of my nerves were not awake yet.

She walked in and sat on the end of my bed. God, she was beautiful. Her hair was a soft fire, the kind you know is dangerous and hottest to touch. Her eyes were a deep moss green, making me anticipate a thick Irish accent or a pair of elf ears. Her skin was pale and smooth, I almost wanted to touch it, see if it was really as soft as it looked.

“You’re the new one?”

“I guess, ya, just came yesterday.”

“What’s your name? Mine’s Britain.”

“I’m Jaxsion. You knew here, too?”

“I just got done with Improvements, I start tomorrow,” her eyes had an innocent gleam in them, which was overshadowed by fear.

“Where are you from?” I asked, not sure what to say. Hey, I’m the new prostitute, sorry you have to start pimping yourself out tomorrow?

“Callin, Nebraska. You?”

“The other side of town,” I smilled, thinking about how amazing it felt to finally leave that shit hole.

“Cool, breakfast?” She asked, standing up. I liked her, she didn’t talk much.

“Breakfast,” I slid on my yoga pants and followed her down the hall. A few other girls meandered about, all making their way down, but no one spoke much.

“So I’m guessing you have your physical today?” She asked as we took our seats at a grand dining room table set to serve at least twenty.

“That’s what copper he-…I mean, Ms. Something told me,” shit. Not only did I not remember copper head’s name, I slipped the only name I’ve been inwardly using for her out.

She laughed, “we all have our nickname for her. Mine’s Penny Bitch. Her hair reminded me of a penny and the first time she saw me, she laughed. So, naturally, she’s a bitch.”