Oh shit. Demetri sized up the angry grizzly bear standing over him, struck by the sudden, sinking suspicious he was about to be killed.

Oh shit. Graverobber stared at the stupid kid, wondering if he should just kill him now. Demetri was even scrawnier with without his bulky clothes- no bigger than Shilo, though more muscled. He was staring at Graverobber like a deer in headlights, looking so ridiculous with his pants around his knees, surrounded by the scattered pieces of clothes, that Graverobber was able to avoid murder by laughing. It wasn't happy by any length, but darkly amused, almost maniacal, and sleep deprived. He had been woken by Blue's snuggling- Graverobber hated any physical contact whatsoever while he slept, his only vulnerable time.

"Took the girl's shirt off and decided to run? Here's a tip, kid- they're supposed to look like that."

Demetri's expression changed from fear to annoyance. He stood up and yanked his pants back on with an obvious attempt at dignity.

"Really?" he replied sarcastically, slipping on his shirt and picking his jacket up off the floor. He started to walk back down the hallway.

Although it really wasn't his problem, Graverobber decided to state the obvious. "It's broad daylight. Sure you just want to walk outside? It could be dangerous, for our kind."

"I know!" Demetri replied in frustration. "I didn't expect to be leaving so soon."

"Don't feel bad, kid. At your age it's normal not being able to get it up."

Demetri gave one long, withering look. "Yeah. I'll keep that close to my heart." He turned around a second time. Graverobber grabbed the back of his jacket.

"You're not going to do something stupid and draw attention to this place. I'll show you the back way."

"Oh. Cool." Demetri cleared his throat as he and Graverobber walked down the hallway, once again swaggering with self possession.

"So," he smirked. "This is how you spend your well-earned dough?"

"Hardly." Graverobber'd be damned if he told Demetri where he lived. He still believed the kid had some kind of ulterior motive.

"Why were you running?"

"Oh. Some…uh…" Demetri glanced quickly up at Graverobber, and the rest of the sentence came out slightly deeper than the first, "some bitch-ass hoe crossed the line."

Graverobber snorted. "If I were her, I would have been the one running."

"If you were her, you wouldn't be making any dough to spend."

Graverobber raised his eyebrow in mild surprise and inclined his head in acknowledgment, a silent "touché". The kid might yet have some potential. And Graverobber never missed an opportunity when it literally ran into him.

"Have you seen the news?"

A paper was thrust at his chest. Scarlett crossed her arms and continued. "The girls are beginning to talk."

"God forbid…" Graverobber mumbled sarcastically, flipping open the newspaper. Demetri stood on his toes to glance over his shoulder. Graverobber glared.

"Go and stand in the corner."

Demetri stared at him in disbelief for a second. Graverobber wasn't blinking.

"Right." Demetri grimaced and complied, standing a few feet away with his face against the wall. Graverobber chuckled and scanned the paper. His smile quickly died away as he began to read.

"Have you seen this girl?" The headline loomed over a sheepish looking picture of Shilo.

Shilo Wallace, 17, has been missing for two weeks. The young girl is a key eyewitness in the events at the most recent Genetic Opera. Amber Sweet, CEO and newly appointed head of GeneCo says, "We intend Shilo no harm. We're simply trying to gather up witnesses to increase our understanding of the situation. To Miss Wallace especially, we owe much recompense." If anyone has seen Shilo Wallace, please contact GeneCo officials. A reward will be given.

"Shit." Graverobber closed the newspaper and crumbled it in his hand. Scarlett raised an eyebrow.

"Figure something out, or make her leave. After all…didn't you say it wasn't your problem?"

Graverobber watched her retreating back with a look of consternation on his face. The old hag, trying to make him feel guilty. Though it was slightly childlike, Graverobber couldn't help thinking bitterly, How did she ever have a career as a prostitute? Even her brother has a prettier face…

Graverobber blinked slowly, then grinned. He threw the balled up newspaper over his shoulder, ignoring the annoyed "ouch" that came from the corner. Without turning around he called to Demetri. "Alright. Let's go. I have a job for you."

Demetri trotted toward Graverobber and frowned. "Let me guess- something unpleasant and embarrassing that you'd rather not to yourself?"

Graverobber just smiled.