And I do.
***
It’s been an hour and I still can’t find Tina.
I’m sick with worry. We’ve looked everywhere.
Where could she be?
Dread fills me.
What if something happened to her?
Nat told me she wouldn’t answer my calls so I stopped trying. Nat kept calling her from her phone but not getting an answer. I can tell by the look on her face that isn’t good.
I kicked Sissy out and told her if she even tried to press charges against me I’d out her for the coke addict she is. Her daddy would disown her if it came out. The stupid bitch told me all about it.
Everyone is crammed into my office and they all look like I’m about to go postal.
Which I just might if we don’t find Tina soon.
Nat gasps and slaps a hand over her head. She knows something.
I run to her and take her hands in mine. She whispers, “Safira. ”
My fuckin’ god.
How stupid am I?
I don’t wait for anyone. I run out of the club into traffic and luckily make it to the other side unscathed. I try the door but it’s locked. I look inside but its pitch black. It doesn’t look like she’s here.
My cell phone rings and I answer. I hear Ghost say calmly, “She’s in there man. Collapsed. Get in there. ”
I drop my cell phone and use my elbow to try and break the thick glass of the door.
It doesn’t budge.
I try again and again til my elbow pulses with pain and is raw and bleeding but it won’t break. I roar in anguish and move to the display window, I walk back a few steps then run and throw my shoulder into it.
It breaks.
I’m covered in glass and I feel blood drip into my eye but I don’t care.
I walk between the mannequins through to the studio. And there she is.
I rush over to her and lift her limp body.
Out cold.
Blood drips from my forehead and eye onto her cheek.
I open the store, hail a cab, and take her home.
***
My eyes flutter open then closed.
They’re so heavy I can’t lift my lids.