If I Had A Heart

Chapter 16

There was only one word Regine could think of to properly summarize the twelve hours following David's sudden departure.

Hell.

She was in hell; she was absolutely sure of it. What else could explain the excruciating pain that was burning throughout her entire body and only increasing with every breath?

There was nothing she could do to ease the scorching ache, to quench the unwavering thirst she felt in her throat, although clutching the jacket David had left behind did seem to conjure up a strange sort of relief. Even throwing back about a gallon of water did nothing to sooth her; all she craved was his scent. Before she could comprehend what she was doing, she had found herself curled into the fetal position, holding the damp, thick fabric to her face, and inhaled deeply. Even though the soothing effect his scent had on her pain was fleeting, it seemed to be the only thing to help, even if just a little. Regine laid like that for hours, barely moving, her body almost completely rigid. She wondered if David somehow knew to leave it; it wasn't like him to be forgetful.

But then again, she was even more confused about who David was, or rather what he was, than before.

It had been so hard to focus on his words before he had left her there, so unceremoniously, to feel all of this confusion, fear, and agony alone. She found herself trying to process their exchange throughout the long night she spent collapsed on her bedroom floor, yet her current physical state prevented her from being able to think straight. There was only pain to occupy her thoughts and keep her company.

The very idea of going to work made her want to keel over right then and there, but Regine knew that if she didn't pick herself up and make it to her shift, Vinnie would really fire her this time. There was no other option; she knew how much of a bitch move it'd be to call in a favor with Jenna for the second night in a row. Without a wink of sleep and her teeth clenched sorely, she rose off the ground with the setting of the sun from her bedroom window and made her way to Doll House.

Sweat beaded acros her forehead as she trudged towards the entrance, David's coat thrown around her shoulders and her hulking duffel bag weighing her down, making her pace even slower than it already was. She had managed to grab a handful of crumpled lingerie that had been balled up on her floor and Regine prayed that she had snatched at least a few matching pieces. It was a relatively chilly night in Santa Carla and Regine took some small amount of pleasure in knowing that David would probably be missing his signature coat later on in the night.

Sidestepping security (she didn't want Andrew to see her looking as awful as she did), she hustled into the club and noted a few of the regulars who usually occupied the same seats from open to close, either swigging back drinks nonstop or simply gazing awestruck at each dancer who took the stage. Most did both. A strange odor wafting through the air hit her like a load of bricks the second she walked in, Regine couldn't put her finger on what it was. It was rancid and sour, like vomit. Regine wondered if it was.

There was no sign of Vinnie anywhere, which calmed Regine's nerves immediately as she all but sprinted to the back room. Her momentary peace was interrupted in an instant as she went to grab the doorknob, only for the door to be slung open by a pair of smirking dancers looking down at her from their four-inch heels. The smell of cigarettes and sweat exuding off them both made her stomach lurch.

"Jesus, what happened to you, Princess," one said with a smirk.

"Looks like someone had a rough night," the other said in response, flicking her hair with a laugh as they both pushed passed Regine's slumped form before she could respond.

She felt her blood boil, but couldn't find the energy within herself to linger on the anger for long.

"Bitches," she huffed under her breath as she walked into the crowded dressing room, knowing it was going to take about ten pounds of makeup to make her look even slightly more alive and "desirable" before she stepped out on stage.