Darkness. Pain. Hunger. Those were the things Klaus had been forced to get used to during the last… months, years, he really wasn't sure. He had no idea how long he had been in his own private prison under the place he had called his home. Yet to him the worst part wasn't pain or hunger. No, it was the humiliation. He, Klaus Mikaelson, was chained up like an animal. Marcel had truly found a perfect way to "punish" him.

According to Marcel, he was keeping Klaus alive because of his blood, but Klaus knew better. Despite of all his new power, Marcel was still deep down craving for Klaus' approval. Right now that was the only weapon Klaus had against him. The hunger and the magic that prevented Klaus from escaping had made him so weak that Marcel had removed Papa Tunde's blade.

It had eventually put Klaus into some kind of coma and that wasn't enough for Marcel. He wanted Klaus to suffer every single day. Klaus was suffering; he missed his daughter and worried about her safety. He missed his family. The compound was quiet now; no one was living there anymore. Yet sometimes Klaus could have sworn that he heard Hope's soft giggle.

"Dada…"

Klaus closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"Are you hurting?" a female voice suddenly asked.

She had been quiet for so long that Klaus had almost forgotten that she was here. The mystery girl in a cell. Couple of Marcel's lackeys had brought her here few days ago and one of them had dropped by to bring her food and water. Apparently she was a human. Klaus was sure that Marcel had brought her here because he wanted some information or something from Klaus, but that wasn't going to work. Yes, maybe he had been alone here for who knew how long, but that didn't make him an idiot. The girl was looking at him from her cell, she had one candle there. Klaus smirked at her.

"No. Why do you ask?"

"It seems that you're hurting," she replied.

"Hmm. Does that make you happy, sweetheart?"

"Why would it?"

Klaus let out a joyless laughter.

"Still continuing our little game, are we? Fine then." He paused and leaned forward inside of the circle that kept him in place. "Why don't you take your clothes off, love, perhaps then we can talk."

She frowned and crossed her arms.

"Why would I do that? I have seen you watching me every time I have washed myself."

That was true. Perhaps she was some kind of a Trojan horse, but she was the only woman he had seen after Marcel had imprisoned him. He didn't see any reason for not to enjoy this little game every way he could.

"Well, you haven't really tried to cover yourself."

She didn't reply to that, she turned around and walked over to her bunk bed. This was the first time she had started a conversation with him and Klaus didn't really want it to end yet. It didn't matter why she was here; he wanted her to speak to him. He had asked her name couple of times, but she hadn't answered him.

"So, since I have already seen you more or less naked, maybe you could finally tell me your name?"

She sat down on the bed and crossed her legs. She was wearing a light grey sweatpants and a pink and white shirt. He had noticed that she often seemed cold; she walked around her cell or sat on the bed a blanket wrapped around her. Her long dark hair was a little messy, although she brushed it quite often. Obviously she didn't have many things to do in her cell; she had no books or any other entertainment. Not that she needed any entertainment, Klaus had no doubt that she would leave soon when Marcel would realize that she couldn't get anything out of him.

"Come on, love," he huffed when she didn't answer. "I'm sure you know who I am, so it would be polite to introduce yourself."

"Yes, I know who you are," she stated after a moment of silence. "The Original hybrid."

"That's right. And you are?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Why don't you want to tell me?"

She was quiet again. Klaus sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Fine, how about I just give you a name then? I think I'll call you… Betty. How does that sound?"

She didn't say anything and she wasn't looking at him anymore.

"Alright, Betty it is. So tell me, Betty…"

"Just shut up," she suddenly snapped. "You're the reason why I'm here and why I'm probably going to die here, so excuse me for not wanting to bond with you."

Klaus had to admit that he was a bit surprised. She was good, he gave her that.

"You're going to die here? Oh no, how terrible."

She didn't say anything; he noticed that she clenched her fists.

"Oh come on, love," he hummed. "You were so concerned about me just a moment ago. Surely that wasn't just some kind of an act?"

"I don't take pleasure of other people's suffering," she replied coolly. "Not even yours."

"Hmm. Have I somehow offended you then? Killed someone you cared about or something?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"What's the problem then? We're both prisoners here, there's no reason why we couldn't be great friends."

"Right. Do you peek at all of your friends?"

He smirked.

"Only if they have as nice breasts as yours."

Had he actually just said that out loud? Dear lord, he had been here for too long.

"Charming," she huffed. "Not that it matters, look if you want. It's not like either of us is going anywhere." She paused and lied down, turning her back on him.

"River," she murmured after a long silence.

"What?"

"My name is River."

She really was an excellent little actress; Klaus had to admit that he was impressed. Playing with her would be a nice change. Finally some entertainment.