1994
"Regan, open your eyes…"
Whitney's eyelids fluttered open as she saw Lucy kneeling down beside her in the chief's office. Right away Whitney seemed confused and unbalanced. Blinking, everything came falling back into place at once.
"Who's Regan?"
Lucy looked confused.
"What?"
"You called me Regan…"
"No I didn't."
Whitney stared up at her with bloodshot eyes before Lucy leaned in closer.
"They said their finished with you. I have some calls to make but they wanted me to take you home. How about you crash at my place?"
Whitney shut her eyes, and gave a stiffened cry.
"This can't be happening…"
Lucy sighed, putting her arms around her and hugging her tightly. The sound of her plastic bracelets clicking together was the only other sound besides Whitney's thumping heartbeat.
"Come on honey…"
The ride over, Whitney sat in a complete daze as Lucy nervous eyed her and drove. It was raining even harder now and the highway had a slick reflection to the pavement. Sitting there. Whitney stared out the window before looking over at her friend.
"Can we swing by my place? I need to grab some stuff."
"Of course…"
Whitney crossed her arms feeling a shiver. Looking over at Lucy she cleared her throat.
"Did they tell you about the man in my apartment?"
Lucy glanced over before nodding.
"Yeah…"
Whitney bit her bottom lip, feeling sick to her stomach.
"I don't know if this has anything to do with Philip, but he was there Lucy. The same guy who I bumped into today."
"Wit, your upset…"
"You saw him right?"
"What?"
"The man today, you said he was cute…that means you saw him."
"Yeah I saw him."
"Get a good look?"
"Not really, the sun was too strong. I told the police that a man did bump into you. I described him as best as I could. But Whitney…I saw the photograph you gave the chief. Isn't that one of those soldiers you're writing about?"
"Sgt. Donny Donowitz…The Bear Jew."
Lucy looked at Whitney as if she was crazy.
"Whitney, you're not making sense…"
"It was him Lucy. He came over to give me my license that I dropped and I looked him right in the eye."
"Maybe he just looked like him. Plenty of people look alike. Besides you said that guy died fifty years ago…even if he was alive he would be an old man!"
"It was him Lucy…"
"Whitney, the police were right behind you when you ran to the bathroom. There was nothing written on the mirror and there was no guy. Not even wet footprints leading down the hall. The door leading out back in near the living room, you guys would of saw if he tried to sneak out…"
"He said his name was Donny…"
"Maybe it was a prank…maybe…"
"Philip was beaten to death with a baseball bat! You know how Sgt. Donowitz used to kill Nazis?"
Lucy looked over nervously as she took the next exit. The windshield wipers working fast against the falling rain. Whitney looked at her.
"He would beat them to death with a baseball bat."
Lucy stared at her friend before looking straight ahead. A silence fell over the car, and both women were scared to death.
1941
The same night Utivich found out that he was a father to a baby boy, Wicki laid awake smoking and watching the snow fall. The others were all asleep and Omar an hour or so ago got up, half awake asking if he needed a break. Wicki simply shook his head and in his rich deep voice he replied that he was perfectly fine and didn't mind staying on watch until dawn. Sitting there, now completely alone he took a deep drag of his cigarette and leaned back against the window frame. It was freezing inside and his fingertips were beginning to go numb.
He thought back on the first day he had enlisted in the bastards and how for the first time since Sara, he felt hope. Shutting his eyes, he knew it was only a matter of time before he put a stop to things. He didn't believe the neat and wrapped up story Aldo was feeding them. No matter what happened, the fact still remained…Donny had raped Regan.
He remembered that night as Stiglitz pressed his knife against his throat, forcing him to watch as Donny dove himself into the helpless screaming girl. Her cries still haunted him.
Now it sickened him seeing Donny suddenly a changed man. Caring and taking care of her. Treating her as if she was a pet. Feeding her all these lies while still lurking in the background was that horrible suspicion that soon Aldo found see no further use for her. That he would force Aldo to kill her or even worse…take her one last time and leave her.
He knew her people wouldn't want her after what happened.
"Sara…"
He softly said under his breath.
He wished she was here.
Upstairs, at that exact moment. Just hours before dawn the howling wind woke Donny. His dark brown eyes opened and he gasped.
Regan was on top of him.
Her beautiful green eyes stared down, and a smile appeared on her fair face.
Donny looked up at her, his throat suddenly feeling very dry.
"Regan?"
"Shhhh…"
She softly said before leaning down and softly kissing his lips. Their mouths opening, Donny was surprised to feel her tongue dance against his. Right away he felt himself getting hard. Thinking back on the last few months he knew this wasn't like her. When the kiss broke off, he looked confused.
"Regan?"
Her hands gently began to rub his chest. Her fingers going through the hair and slightly yanking on his metals and chains.
"Shhhh Donny, you make the nightmares go away. I don't want to dream anymore."
Donny tried to speak again before she sat up straight and pulled his sweater off her with a single motion. Tossing it to the floor, she smiled. Donny stared up at her naked form, there were no longer bruises or marks.
She looked perfect.
Regan leaned down again, kissing him slightly before he sat up and held her by the sides. His kiss became more passionate as their lips met. Right away Donny's hands went against her back before turning her onto the mattress. This time he went on top.
Feeling more in control, he grinned down at her but it wasn't like before. This grin was a nervous and excited grin as he gently began kissing her shoulder blades.
Her hands went through his hair before he froze. For a brief second their eyes locked and Regan looked scared.
A flash of her crying, then fingernails digging at the dirt.
She blinked and the horrible image was gone. Donny looked down at her concerned.
"Regan?"
Regan shook her head, slightly stunned before wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing him down to kiss her again. His weight crushed her before she whispered something into his ear.
"I love you Donny…"
This made Donny for a brief second unsure if he could really do it. Feeling her smooth body against his, he took a deep breath and tried his best. Unlike before, he was slow, gentle, and nearly drew back when he first entered her. Right away Regan snapped her eyes shut and hissed out in pain.
"Regan? Do you want me to stop?"
Regan slowly opened her eyes before shaking her head.
Donny nodded and very dully began to go into her. The bed creaked and both slightly moved. Donny's eyes were direct and locked right with hers. They stayed that way the entire time.
When he finished, Regan's nails dug into his deeply tanned back. Finally both were laying side by side gasping for air. Donny gathered her into his arms and kissed her.
He wasn't ever going to let her know what he did. He hated to admit it, but Wicki had been right. Once he crossed that line there really was no turning back. But laying here, as snow continued to fall he thought that he would make up for his mistakes. She didn't remember and she loved him now.
That's all that mattered.
She belonged to him.
Laying there, he watched as she sat up, her beautiful red hair falling back against her neck. Smiling, she leaned down and began kissing softly down his chest. Donny laid there watching before she reached his flat stomach. Kissing him, she looked up before laying her head against him.
Donny stared down at her, their hands slipping into each other. Donny then smiled and began to think of how much he couldn't wait to bring her back to America.
The next morning, Aldo stood in the broken down doorway of the crumbling hotel and looked out at the five feet of snow they had gotten over night. Shaking his head, he zipped his jacket before looking over to shoulder at the others who were sitting around in what used to be the main lobby.
They had a small fire going and everyone was shivering. Utivich seemed in a extra good mood and was boiling some water to start breakfast.
Regan, dressed in a parker that Donny had found with what appeared to be a fur lined hood, was helping out looking around for loose floorboards or anything they could burn. Lately she had become a big help with the men. Donny sat with his leather jacket on by the fire, helping Omar count how many guns they had in total.
Wicki was reading a map, they planned on heading out within the next few hours. Rain was gently falling now that was turning into hard ice. He said they better start breaking the truck out before it got frozen.
The rest walked around, trying to avoid doing anything.
That's when Hirschberg watched Regan, a grin spreading across his face.
Regan was climbing up a pile of rubble, still searching for fire wood. Her shirt came up a little, almost to her thigh. Hirschberg enjoyed the view, standing closer, looking at her boots and then up her smooth leg.
"Not bad…not bad at all."
Regan didn't seem to notice as she gathered the wood in her arms.
But Donny did.
Just as Hirschberg leaned over to get a better look Donny grabbed him by the collar and spun him around. Hirschberg almost choked on the cigarette he was smoking. Donny yanked him of the ground, staring right into his eyes.
Regan froze and looked down from the pile, dropping any wood she was holding.
Donny stared into Hirschberg's face.
"Is that what you do to a lady?"
He hissed through his teeth. Right away everyone began to take notice. Aldo eyed Wicki who carefully took the safety off his rifle. Nodding, he waited. Donny by now seemed furious; he held Hirschberg up by his collar and looked as if he was going to kill him.
"I asked you a question!"
Hirschberg stuttered, scared to death.
"I'm sorry…I-I didn't…m-mean it…"
Regan began to say something but lowered her head. Wicki saw she was almost afraid to say something. Silently she fixed her shirt before gathering up the wood again.
Wicki walked over, his rifle leaning against his shoulder.
"Take it easy Donny, he didn't mean anything by it."
Donny dropped Hirschberg like a pile of bricks. He hit the floor hard as Donny turned around like a snap. Staring at him, his eyes seemed insane.
"Mind your own business Wicki."
Wicki's expression didn't change. Instead he seemed perfectly calm.
"It is my business. Enough is enough, I'm sure Hirschberg has learned his lesson and I think it's time for you to calm down."
Donny took his knife out in one quickly swipe grabbed Wicki before pressing the sharp blade against Wicki's crotch. Regan uttered a loud gasp before she dropped the wood again and quickly made her way down the pile. Jumping over Hirschberg, she nearly stumbled before looking at Wicki. Her eye scared.
"Donny…"
She tried saying.
Donny didn't even blink. Instead he pressed the blade against Wicki and a small grin appeared on his face before leaning in and softly saying…
"She's my wife Wicki. Don't you forget it."
He pressed even harder, this time Regan shouted, grabbing onto the back of Donny's shoulder.
"STOP! WOULD YOU PLEASE JUST STOP!"
Donny glared at Wicki who looked directly into his eyes. Amused almost as they stood together, Donny's knife pressed right up against his balls.
Wicki smiled before eyeing Regan.
"Pardon my language Regan, but Donny…why don't you make me unzip and pull my dick out. Maybe then we can ourselves a real old fashion pissing contest."
Donny's mouth twitched but just stared at him. Regan pulled at his arm again.
"Please…"
Donny stepped back, letting the knife off Wicki. Sighs of relief rushed through the other men, all of them besides Aldo who watched leaning against the doorway. A smile on his face…as though he was having fun watching this.
Donny's rage that filled his eyes slowly faded as he blinked and then looked down at Regan. Right away he dropped his knife and shook his head.
"I…need to get some air…"
Quickly, Donny walked out. There was silence for a second before Regan stared at Wicki. A helpless depressed expression went through her eyes towards him and she quickly ran out after Donny. Aldo watched before laughing.
"Ain't marriage life grand?"
Hirschberg looked up from the ground nervous. Wicki simply shook his head.
Outside, Donny tried catching his breath. Nearly knee deep in the snow, he found a tree and began punching it. He needed to take this out on something. His face crumpling, he hit the tree over, and over, and over again.
"Donny?"
A scared voice asked behind him.
Donny stopped, his heart racing and sweat rolling down his face. Trying to catch his breath, he turned and saw Regan looking extremely small as she nervously shifted from foot to foot. The ice that was falling made echo sounds against the crystal covered branches that hung above them.
Donny stared at her, almost embarrassed she saw him doing this.
"Regan…"
Her face changed right away. Her mouth opening.
"Oh! You're bleeding!"
She ran over, her boots crunching in the snow as she quickly grabbed the hand he had been punching the tree. His knuckles were torn open and raw. Blood trickled down his wrist. Right away Regan's gentle hands held him, looking the hand over before frowning.
He wanted to explain himself but couldn't. Instead he just stood there, watching her with fascinated eyes. She kissed his bleeding knuckles, working them over slowly as Donny found it harder to control himself. Donny seemed surprised by this, blood beginning to smear on her lips and face as she did so.
She did it softly and so gentle Donny thought it wouldn't be able to take it. Shutting his eyes, he took a deep breath in of the freezing cold air and shuttered.
At that exact moment Wicki excused himself to a private room, which had broken windows down the hall. The wind had blown at least four feet of snow inside, and in the distance he could hear an owl crying. Walking in, he dropped his rifle and looked down at himself. His slacks had a tear in them. Quickly he yanked down his zipper and let his slacks drop to his ankles. It was freezing in there. Looking down at his boxers he saw a few tiny drops of blood.
Donny had come close…closer than comfort.
Sighing, he rubbed his face.
He needed to think of a plan to get her out of here. Things were getting dangerous.
Present
Lucy stood watching Whitney with nervous eyes.
"Whitney, you have to stop this. Nobody is going to believe you…"
Whitney tore through her office, papers and files flying everywhere. Lucy jumped when Whitney tore a draw out of her desk, going through things like mad.
Whitney spun around, tears running down her exhausted face.
"Lucy it was him! I know it!"
Lucy put her hands on her hips, raising her voice.
"The man you're talking about is dead! They're going to lock you up if you keep saying stuff like that!"
"Somebody killed Philip! He was all I had Lucy! I don't have anyone else! You need to believe me…I invited this guy into my house!"
"Then what are you going to do! Show the police the photos; keep talking about the guy who made a vanishing act in your bathroom! Whitney I can't even begin to tell you how fucking sorry I am…I know Philip meant everything to do…but he's dead. Some punks killed him and I know it hasn't set in yet! But you need to stop this!"
Whitney dug into her purse that sat on her desk. Digging through it, she brought out her letter from Utivich.
"I need to call this guy…"
Lucy walked forward.
"Whitney stop! Listen I have the cops you're license. Their gonna dust it for prints. I'm sure their talking about how fucking nuts you are, but their doing it. Whitney if you keep this up their going to think you're connected somehow!"
Whitney stopped dead in her tracks before Lucy took a deep breath.
"I'm so sorry…but please Whitney. Wake up to reality."
Whitney stopped before Lucy stepped forward, gently touching her arm.
"Come on…let's go."
Whitney slowly nodded, clutching her things before following her. Glancing over, she saw the framed photograph. Feeling sick, she walked with her and left her apartment that she had shared with Philip in the darkness.
The drive over to Lucy's was silent.
When they got there, a message was on Lucy's machine.
Whitney stood close as Lucy played it. The message was from the police department.
It seemed besides Whitney's prints, there was another set, but they weren't in the database. Whitney eyed the letter in her purse before Lucy turned towards her.
"Doesn't mean anything, come on let me make you come tea."
Whitney shook all over as thunder began to sound outside.
