A/N: I DO NOT own Inglourious Basterds.
Mezcal
I knocked on Donny's door, rocking back and forth on my heels anxiously as I clutched a bottle of absinthe, two spoons, a small sugar dish and glasses in my hands. Balancing all the items delicately I shifted them from one arm to the other and knocked once more, this time listening as Donny tripped and swore under his breath as a man of his size naturally would.
He swung open the door finally, all bandaged up just as I was from our earlier adventure. I was sore, my lungs still filled with traces of smoke that made me hoarse but it would be nice to sit down and relax now, particularly after everything we had been through and experienced in the last few hours.
Aldo had congratulated us on a job well done upon arriving to the house, but Donny's unhappiness had been made known to me long before we returned. On the car ride back he angrily spat his opinion on me having killed Harnishfeger's wife and while I did feel bad, my sympathy stopped short.
In my eyes, at the end of the day she was anything but innocent. She knew exactly what her husband did for a living, and she knew that dozens were dying at his hands. It was people like her, who were the worst: those that did nothing. Those that were impassive were worse than the perpetrators themselves.
When we returned home, I would have no one to celebrate her return, nothing to look forward to. My only friend in the world was now dead, her brains blasted to bits right before my very eyes. In Brooklyn I would continue to be nothing more than a nigger hybrid kike, because of the people in the world who looked down upon those that were different. So in turn, I did not feel guilt, because it was Harnishfeger and his wife who made life cruel for me, and I would not respond kindly in turn.
As Donny opened his door, plumes of smoke wafted out although they were nothing that I had ever smelled. The sweet and rank aroma enveloped me and through the haze I caught sight of the water pipe beside Donny's bed and raised my eyebrows, glancing up at him. He said nothing, shrugging his huge shoulders and leaning against his door.
"So are you going to invite me in or what?" I asked, and Donny stared at me for a moment and I wondered if he was really going to shut the door in my face. I knew he was angry, but not as angry as his look told. Much to my surprise and relief through, he stepped aside and let me in just as the items I had brought with me began to slip from my arms.
"What is all that?" he asked, gesturing at the materials in my hands.
"Uh…it's a surprise. First why don't you tell me what you've got going on in here?" I asked, glancing at the bed which was strewn with clothes and girly magazines. Donny quickly strode across the room and knocked everything off his bed to make room then reached back to scratch the back of his neck.
"Sorry, it's a mess in here." He sniffed, running his hands through his thick hair. I lingered where I stood, looking around and taking in Donny's room. Walking over to the bed, I deposited the things I had brought with me before I dropped them then looked up at him expectantly as he stood on the other side of the room, staring at me.
"You going to join me?" I asked.
He hesitated for a moment then walked over and sat down stiffly, only glancing at me for a second. His jaw was tense, his eyes red although I was sure that could have been from whatever he had been smoking (my guess was opium). At the end of the day he was still obviously upset from what had happened so I sighed, deciding it was best we clear the air so that things didn't get too awkward.
"What the hell is that?" he asked, gesturing to the paraphernalia I had dropped on the bed.
"Absinthe. Ever had it before?" I raised my eyebrows.
"No, what is it? And what's with the other stuff?"
"It's Swedish. Liquor. And it's sugar and absinthe spoons. Sugar dilutes it, along with cold water. Drinking too much apparently makes you hallucinate like hell though. I've never gotten drunk off it, but there's a first time and place for just about everything."
Donny said nothing, staring at the bottle as he talked. Clad in an undershirt and a pair of pants I could not stop myself from glancing at his chest every now and then. I very much wanted to rip it off of him and take him for a ride, although that was not going to happen. At least not until I got a few drinks into him.
Reaching over Donny grabbed the bottle and unscrewed the cap before bringing it to his nose. Immediately his eyes widened and he jerked back, then brought the bottle to his lips and took a swig.
I waited in anticipation and received my reward as Donny suddenly sputtered, coughing up the high proof liquor and pounding his chest. Leaning forward he winced and I put my hand on his back, laughing and rubbing him softly in comfort. After a few minutes he leaned back and made himself more comfortable.
"Shit that's some strong stuff." He finally said, and I grabbed the bottle, taking a small sip and closing my eyes, moving closer to him. Handing the bottle over I noted that Donny still ignored the rest of the stuff, electing manliness over sensibility. After another swallow he seemed to get used to the stuff and wiped his mouth. I used the opportunity to finally say what had been on my mind.
"Are you still upset about earlier?"
Donny looked over at me, lowering the bottle then sighed.
"Look, I've been to war. I've been through battle and back, and I'll have to deal with the people I've killed for the rest of my life. Most I can justify, others deserved it. But when it comes down to things like what happened tonight, it's damn near impossible for me to accept what's been done. We killed an innocent woman Annabelle, in cold blood. I'd think you of all people would be able to feel some kind of remorse."
I could hear the poorly contained anger and disappointment in his voice, and it infuriated me. My motives were my own, and it should have remained that way. With a steely voice, I addressed him, making sure that my voice betrayed everything I felt and thought.
"Innocent because we didn't know her. She could've done nothing wrong in her entire life. She also could've and more than likely sat and listened each night while her husband talked about what he did for a living. No one is innocent Donny, not you, not me, and especially not her. Someday maybe I'll feel guilty, but at the present moment I can't. Not with what I've seen and been through, not with the suffering of so many people. I'm a whore Donny, I've lost my humanity." I said finally, chewing on the last sentence.
"And that doesn't bother you?" Donny narrowed his thick eyebrows.
"I can't let it. If it did, I wouldn't be where I am. If it did, I would have died back at the brothel when my best friend got shot. If you don't mind I'd like to move on to something else though. I figured you'd feel better if you talked about it a little." I resigned. Donny's eyes searched me, as though trying to ascertain just what I was thinking and who I was, but finally he dropped it and moved to something I wanted to talk about even less.
"Working in a brothel you must've…seen a lot. You're so young. Is that what you meant by losing your humanity?"
"Yes, and no. I think you're imagining that sleeping around makes me hate myself, and that's not really true. I gave thought to working in a brothel for the main purpose that I love sex. I won't shy away from the words slut and whore, because I know I am one. From the first time I laid with a guy it was the most incredible feeling in my life. That pleasure combined to being so close to another person, it's just heaven to me. What I meant was the feeling of loathing that comes with knowing I'm sleeping with men who would kill me had they known my true heritage and identity. I had to swallow my humanity though if I wanted to continue and get out of them what I could."
"The night we met, your madame…she said that you and Axelle were close. I remember seeing you two and wondering…"
At this I couldn't help but smile then answered him honestly.
"Yes. We did jobs together, and sometimes in our spare time we would sleep together I guess. It was her way of getting in practice when a man came in with his wife. It was my way of keeping from being perpetually lonely. She's the only woman I've ever been with and I enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong I love men, more than I can tell you, but being with Axelle was something different."
"Jesus. You talk about all this stuff like it's nothing. When I was your age I couldn't even look at a girl topless without…you know. And here you've probably done just about everything…what exactly have you done?" Donny suddenly glanced at me, his face reddening as he drank more and more. I grinned, siding up to him and leaning so that my leg rested on his lap.
"Well…pretty much everything. I did both dominant and submissive, groups, anal, role play, sometimes I just played with myself while my client watched or got him off, sometimes I would just use my mouth."
"Anal? Is that…?"
I sat up and turned around, shaking my bottom in front of him for emphasis as his jaw dropped in shock. I tossed my hair back and chuckled under my breath as Donny tried to compose himself.
"Don't seem so shocked."
"But…but doesn't that feel…weird?"
"At first it was strange to me. But then when I relaxed and started focusing on my pleasure it was wonderful. And on the other side I've heard it's tighter and there's a series of contrac-"
"-Okay okay I've heard enough. Jesus you're just a kid."
I winced at his words, my face heating.
"Don't start with that bullshit again. Do you know how many girls out here are married by my age? Even in the States. I'm not a kid, by rights I'm a grown woman." I rolled my eyes, blushing furiously. The fact was no matter how adult I felt, statements like that slapped me right back down to size. I had lived an "adult" life, I had seen "adult" things. I had developed earlier than most girls and knew even without makeup I looked a bit older than I was. Did I really look like a little girl in Donny's eyes, and if so, what was I even doing there if there was no hope?
"You don't look like a kid, that's what's so messed up about it. I wouldn't blink twice if you told me that you were 21 or 22." Donny continued, either oblivious or uncaring to my evident anger and discomfort.
"Then pretend I am. Forgot how old I am, just who I am altogether. Now if you're done obsessing over stupid things we can move onto something new."
"Like what?" he asked, taking another swig from the bottle.
"How many girls have you been with?"
This time his choking had nothing to do with the absinthe, more of my question. I was certain that the two of us would have been better switching ages.
"How many women have you had sex with?" I repeated, taking the bottle from his hands and enjoying a hard swallow. It was already down to the label, and with only a few sips and little on my stomach my tongue felt heavy, my head fuzzy.
"I mean…what's it to you?" he looked away, not meeting my eyes.
"I'm curious. Here you are frowning upon my sexual experiences and I can't help but wonder about yours."
"I wasn't frowning on them." He turned to me, eyes searching me intently.
"Oh? Then what?"
"I guess it's impressive. You know, working like that I guess you'd be…good at your job." He suggested, this time his dark face reddening so that I laughed. Quickly he took the bottle, searching for liquid courage to ease his discomfort.
"You're right about that. I am quite good at my job. You should've let me fuck you back at the brothel I could've shown you." I grinned bravely, leaning over so that my breasts brushed Donny's arm. He glanced down at me but did not move, only sighed and shook his head.
"Good grief what am I going to do with you?" he breathed, more to himself it seemed.
"Whatever you want." I whispered in his ear, before flicking my tongue at his earlobe lightly then moving to the other side of the bed before he could say anything. Tensing, he grabbed the bottle and took a long drink, screwing up his face as he swallowed then sighed, sinking into his pillow with an expression of calm that could only come with complete inebriation. Glancing up at me Donny grinned slightly then slapped a hand on my thigh.
"You know kid, I do like you. You're out of your damn mind but I like you. Maybe after this you could come back with me, I'll show you all around Boston. I think you'd like it, not as filthy as New York and the people are pretty friendly. My ma would love you, just don't mention you're half black. You could pass for French or Italian or something like that." He slurred, and I took the opportunity, taking another drink as my senses began to leave, pulling me under a blanket of intoxication. My mind swam, my voice sounded far away and my body felt as if I was floating on a bed of clouds.
"You'd take me home to meet your mother? Even though I'm a lowly whore?" I raised my eyebrows and Donny chuckled.
"What she doesn't know won't kill her."
"Well that would make the girls jealous?"
At this he cackled, a drunken chortle that made me laugh as well.
"What girls?"
"Handsome guy like you has to have girls chasing him down. What, you don't have anyone waiting for you back home?" I raised an eyebrow.
"No, I don't. And you?"
This hit harder to home than Donny had intended, and immediately the smile disappeared from my face.
"I have no one." I replied, and he moved on, not noticing what my statement had meant. I had no home, no place to go to, and no one that loved me. It was something that I tried not to think about, but with The Basterds here and the constant arrival of more soldiers, there was no doubt that the war would be over within a year. And what would come with it? Where would I come? I had nowhere to return to, only the foolish hope that perhaps Aldo or Donny would help me out until I got a job and a place to stay. I didn't even know if my father was still alive, and if he was my appearance would mean absolutely nothing to him.
Donny's hand remained on my thigh and I moved in a bit closer, my body leaning against his own.
"You're getting a little close there." He slurred, looking down at my legs which stuck out beneath a large men's dress shirt I had found in the bathroom. Underneath I still wore my stockings and garter belt with thoughts of Donny peeling them off with his teeth.
The room was hot. So hot that I wanted to take my clothes off. It was as if I was swimming, each time I moved the room would spin and it wouldn't stop. Touching my neck I closed my eyes, laying back in the bed. When I opened them, a small green dot hovered in front of my face, moving back and forth each time I turned my head. The ever elusive Green Fairy.
"I'm drunk." I whispered to myself, watching the tiny speck move about, hopping up and down, bouncing here and there until weaving across my vision and landing square in the center of Donny's pink lips. I took this as a sign and leaned over before pressing my lips to his own, tasting and breathing him.
"Annabelle-" he breathed into my mouth but I did not give him a chance to argue. Without a second thought I climbed onto his lap, the blood rushing through my veins in the haze of drunkenness. Each of his attempted arguments was cut off by my lips until he eventually ceased saying anything and allowed me to kiss him, his own lips pressing against mine.
I slowly began to unbutton my shirt, never taking my lips from his save for our exchange of tongues. After a matter of time Donny's hands found their way around my waist, running up and down my back, my thighs, grasping at my behind. When I reached the last button of my shirt I pulled it off, revealing my body clad in skimpy undergarments made of black lace.
In that moment Donny simply sat and stared before leaning forward, grabbing my breasts with rough and sloppy hands and running his lips over then. His hands continued to roam my body, becoming more and more aggressive before reaching back for the clasp of my bra.
I shrugged out of the lacy garment, my bare breasts completely exposed with nipples peaked in both anticipation and sexual excitement. Reaching up, Donny's hand clasped over my breast, squeezing roughly and I moaned, feeling my nipple become even more taut against his palm. Leaning down, I kissed him once more, biting his bottom lip this time so that he grunted beneath me, a hand moving down and squeezing my ass equally as rough. Within a matter of seconds, it become a game of domination as we both attempted to get a hold on top of the other.
Getting on my knees I reached down and unbuttoned Donny's pants before yanking them down his muscular legs. Sure enough, I could see his semi-hard member beneath his drawers and I brushed my hand against him, watching him mutter in pleasure. Leaning forward, I straddled him as I did once before, rubbing myself against him ever so slowly until he grabbed me fiercely and spun around, placing me on my back.
Putting my hands on his chest I closed my eyes, letting his lips travel to my neck as both of us were pulled into the darkness.
The moment I opened my eyes I squeezed them shut, my head threatening to split open. Groaning, I rolled over in bed, pulling the sheets over my head to block out the sun and made a half-hearted resolution to never drink absinthe again.
Just as I prepared to take myself to sleep once more I became aware of a foreign warmth beside me and woke up, only to find Annabelle sleeping beside me. Cautiously, I grabbed the sheet and lifted it, sure enough finding her naked just as I was myself. Quickly, I jumped out of the bed as though it was on fire and took a step backward, losing my footing as the room tilted violently and knocked down a lamp.
The sound sent Annabelle up in a jolt and I quickly ripped the sheets from the bed to cover myself. My stomach churned and it felt like my face was on fire although I was certain that was because I had woken up naked beside Annabelle with no recollection of having gotten that way.
"What the hell is your problem?" she squinted, running a hand through her hair which had fallen from its updo and cascaded around her shoulders like a lion's mane. Her mouth was swollen, and immediately my eyes flew to her large breasts. Clutching the sheets tightly in my hand my face burned as I tried to stop myself from getting hard but one look was all it took.
"Did we have sex?" I blurted. The last thing I had remembered was Annabelle asking whether or not I had a girlfriend back home, and her telling me he had no one to come home to. It was too much to think about at the present, I simply needed to get her out before I lost my control and ended up doing something I would certainly regret.
"No. We-y-you passed out." She finally said, looking immensely disappointment and I breathed a sigh of relief. Holding the sheets even tighter my eyes strayed to her thighs and what lay between them. I needed her to get the hell out of there and now.
"You should probably go." I said sternly, feeling my stomach sink with her shoulders. The way she looked down, it bit at me. I couldn't understand why she seemed so taken with me, even more I couldn't understand why I wasn't jumping at the opportunity. She was a beautiful girl, smart, sexy, fierce as hell, and I knew when it came to bed she had to be downright astounding.
But instead of saying anything I watched as she dressed herself slowly then left, not saying a word and not looking at me. I felt like an ass, but the truth was I'd feel even more of one if I dared go to bed with her.
When she closed the door behind her I sighed, dropping the sheet and collapsing back onto my bed, head pounding. Why did she have to make my life so damn complicated?
"Good morning sunshine."
I immediately contracted, bringing my knees to my naked chest as a blast of cold gripped at my body. Opening my eyes I blinked, looking in time to watch Aldo rip the sheets off of me, leaving me nude in everything but my underwear.
Aldo whistled lewdly the stalked across the room in his heavy boots and tore the curtains open. The blast of light was too much for my lingering hangover and I screamed aloud, grabbing a pillow and pulling it over my eyes. My head throbbed dully with a warning against absinthe in the future. Perhaps what made it worse was that it was the second time I had ever gotten drunk, and was not used to such things.
"What the hell do you want?" I grumbled into the pillow, praying he would leave me alone although I knew that was not likely.
"You. We found some Nazi piece of shit skulking around here, think he might have been tipped off or may be here on someone's orders looking for us. So get some cold water in your face, take some Aspirin, and put on some clothes…though if you want to do it that way I ain't going to argue. You'll be working with Hugo."
"Hugo?" I repeated.
"One other one can speak German. Besides, he's aching for a stab at his old comrades. Now come on and get that pretty ass of yours up. Put on something sexy. That won't be a problem I presume." He smirked, before leaving and slamming the door for good measure, causing me to nearly jump out of my skin as my head exploded in pain.
"About damn time. Now don't you clean up nicely."
I glanced at Aldo from over his newspaper as he glanced at me from the staircase. Walking into the sitting room I stood with my hands clasped in front of my body in a short dress that stopped above the knee. The yellow dress was cinched at the waist with a white belt and I put my hair up.
After an hour I finally managed to get myself dressed by pumping my body with Aspirin, having a little hair of the dog, and a nice cold shower. Quickly I brushed a finger across my lips to assure I had no lipstick smeared. A string of pearls hung around my neck with matching earrings and a white hairband.
"Sorry I needed to make myself presentable and sober up a little." I shrugged.
"Any better and I might drag you up to my room." He grinned suggestively and I could not help but smile. Aldo was handsome after all.
It wasn't until then that I noticed Donny behind him, who whipped his head around at Aldo's words. I pursed my lips, then glanced back at Aldo. Having two men vying for my affections? Well, that certainly sounded better than anything else I could think of.
"Why don't we head downstairs first. Kill first, fuck after. Sound good?" he raised his eyebrows.
"Sounds very good." I winked purposefully, putting a hand on my hip and sticking my chest out.
At this I threw a glance at Donny. If he didn't want to fuck me then someone else would. I made this very clear then followed Aldo down into the basement, not bothering to see if Donny was behind me.
The minute we hit the staircase all foolish thoughts were forsaken as nerves crawled within me. Another kill, and this one face-to-face. If I made one mistake, it could mean that could kill me and get back to his friends. I could not falter, or show any weakness.
As we made our way down the steps I caught sight of Hugo, standing at a table before a chained man. He was holding something in his hand, wiping it down with a small rag. His cold eyes observed both of us and my stomach clenched. Hugo always made me uneasy, and the fact was I tried to stay away from him for the most part.
As we reached the base of the steps Hugo walked over and in hush toned, bowed his head.
"Have you asked him anything yet?" Aldo asked, putting his hands behind his back.
"No." he replied, looking at me sharply. His eyes raked my body with what might have been disapproval, but I could not tell behind his impassive gaze.
"Not so bad are we now?" Aldo said as he asked the prisoner, strutting over to him and leaving me alone with Hugo.
"Please let me go! I'm just doing my job I've never hurt anyone I have a wife and three children!" the prisoner shouted pathetically in German. Beside me, Hugo let out a strangled chortle that I assumed to be a laugh, before pulling out a cigar and lighting it.
"What did he say?" Aldo glanced at us.
"He is begging for his life." Hugo said coldly, a hint of amusement in his tone before taking a drag of the cigar. I stood awkwardly then stepped forward, preparing to do whatever it was that I must.
"Ah. Always the begs and pleas. Annabelle, get over here." He nodded at me and I came, standing beside him and glancing down at the man. His eyes gazed upon me and in an instant any pity I felt for him was gone. Reaching out, he leaned towards me with watery eyes.
"Please, please tell them I have not done anything. Please miss I beg you!" he screeched, before Aldo walked over and slammed a first across his mouth shutting him up once and for all. I almost winced, but resolved myself. I knew what I needed to do.
"Hugo, translate for me. I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're going to answer them. Either way, you will die. If you answer my questions, I will give you a nice tablet that will put you to sleep and you'll never wake up again. It'll be quick, it'll be painless, and it'll be as if you're just going to bed. If you don't answer my questions, things will be a little more painful. My beautiful friend right there will make it hurt, and you'll be a long way from dying. You've got two choices, so tell me: who sent you here?"
Each word Hugo translated caused his eyes to widen, and with my mention the man glanced over at me, shaking with fear in his eyes. I tried not to let it show that he was getting to me. He had to have been in his 20s, he was pretty much a kid but he knew exactly what he was doing, and who he worked for.
"Please, I can't tell you that!" the young man cried.
Aldo looked at Hugo, and Hugo shook his head. Aldo glanced at me, then nodded.
Stepping forward, I looked at the tray of tools laying parallel to my victim. Grabbing a pair of pincers I squeezed them tightly then grabbed one of his hands, the starting point for my torture.
"NO! WAIT! I CAN'T TELL YOU PLEASE DON'T!" he continued to bleat, blubbering and spitting in fear that enhanced my fury, for his fear was a fear experienced by those who went into the showers at the death camps. His fear had been felt by al his victims, or at least the victims of those he had enabled.
After several more attempts to get him to answer I grasped his hand and clenched down onto his ring finger, squeezing until bone crunched and screams ripped from his thin mouth. Squeezing again I pressed even more forcefully so that the pincers tore right through his skin like rubber. Blood spurted from the wound and he bucked beneath me as best he could.
Holding the meaty hunk of crushed bone, skin, and blood I dropped it onto the tray holding the weapons then looked down at him once more. This was my new life.
.
