Erik stole through the shadows of the nearly deserted street. His eyes darted back and forth, peering out of the white mask he wore. He pulled his cloak closer to him, trying to ward off the cold New York night. He saw several men walk closer to him and he tensed. Often, when wandering this neighborhood, and ones like it, he had been threatened but every time he 'convinced' them to leave him alone. This was the first time in a while he had been in this particular part and it seemed the ones he had previously 'convinced' were no longer in power. As soon as he reached the mouth of an alleyway, he found himself surrounded by a dozen or so men, all with a threatening implement of some kind.
"Hey man. You in da wrong place tonight. We's been pissed off mightily and needs to blow some steam, know what I'm saying. So its nothin against you or anythin like that." The largest man stepped forward, swinging a club back and forth.
"Monsieur, if you value your life, I beg of you to please not do this. You know not what you are upon."
"Ah quit yer yappin. We's gonna beat ya bloody. Got a problem wit it?"
"Actually I do."
"An whatcha gonna do 'bout it?"
"This" Without another word, Erik kicked the leader's feet out from underneath him with an almost unnatural speed. As the others made to attack him, he dispatched of them as well. When all of them lay on the ground, he brushed his hands off and started on his way, but was stopped by a fierce pain in his abdomen. He looked down and stared at the sword that was now through his gullet.
"Never turn your back on the enemy unless they are most assuredly dead." A quiet chuckle came from behind him. "Isn't that the old adage? or something like that anyway." Erik flinched slightly as the sword was pulled out of his stomach. He watched as the wound healed, then turned around to face the offender. He was faced with one of the gang members. "What do you want?"
The man leered at him, moving with a confidence Erik envied. "My my Erik you are getting harder and harder to follow you know."
"And your efforts are getting more and more pitiful." Erik looked back at the moaning people on the ground. "I don't see why you waste your time."
"Erik, you know what I want and I always get what I want." the man stepped closer to him.
"Look Hans I've told you numerous times I'm not interested in joining your little group. I live alone and prefer it that way."
"Yes I know Erik." Hans sighed. "But think of the good you would do us! We understand what you are! We alone understand it! Think of the things we can accomplish! The things you can create the music you can write…" With this Erik grabbed Hans by the neck and slammed him against one of the brick walls. A sickening crunch could be heard, but whether it came from Hans' body or the wall no one is sure.
"My music died that night along with me. I chose the night but the one who gave it too I have never seen since. She is the one I seek. I want nothing to do with your kind!" Erik let go of Hans and let him sag to the ground. "You hear me? NOTHING!" He stalked off leaving the groaning man lying there in a heap.
Hans chuckled to himself and stood up. 'Poor fool. He doesn't take advantage of his power. She was the most powerful of our kind and you are her only child. But much like your mortal mother, she left you, so now you seek her out. Well too bad monsieur she has long passed. But I think my next attempt to get you shall succeed. What will you think? I wonder. If only I could be there to see it, but alas I am needed elsewhere. Well sleep well my Erik.'
'Damn that man!" Erik stormed through the streets, muttering threats and curses and whatever else came to mind. He earned quite a few stares by the passer byers. He continued steaming until he reached an old abandoned building. There he stopped and looked around and then entered after making sure no one could see him. He halted as soon as he was in the basement. Erik looked around, uneasy with the strange quietness of the room. Usually there were roaches and rats scurrying around but tonight there was silence.
"Who's here?" his voice boomed in the tiny basement. He heard a small gasp in a corner and rushed to it. Red hair flashed in his face as someone tried to run by but he grabbed that hair and pulled.