Chapter 2

Predators and preys

"Please tell me you got some good ideas", said a guy who was walking with Selene.

He was maybe in his mid twenties; his eyes were same color than Selene's and his hair was dark brown. Kol's guess was that they were siblings.

"I…I'm trying Derek…"

"Right, so we're screwed then. Shit! That son of a bitch!"

Selene touched his shoulder.

"It's ok. We'll think of something."

"Well we better! I'm too young to die. We should run."

"And go where? We can't leave Jason", Selene said.

Derek ran his fingers through his hair.

"I know, I know, this is just… I'm starting to run out of ideas. We have nothing left to sell."

Selene took his hand.

"Let's go home. Since we still have one."

"Yeah, for now. But you're right, there's no point hanging here. We have done what we can for tonight."

Kol observed them curiously. This seemed interesting, like he was watching a play. Kol used to love going to theater. Now there were these movies but that just wasn't the same. He had watched couple of so called classics from Casablanca to Titanic but he didn't really think much of them. He had for some reason liked the movie called Taxi Driver. Psycho and The Shining were pretty good as well. Kol smiled. This stalking thing was quite thrilling. One way to pass the time at least. This really didn't seem like a nice neighborhood. Sleazy houses, rusty cars, et cetera. Selene and her brother headed to one of these houses. There was a nice car parked in front of it. Three men came out from the car. They were all tall and muscular and seemed menacing.

"Well, good evening", one of the men said smiling. "We've been waiting for you."

"Listen Boyd, I'll get you the money, I just…" Derek started but other man punched him to the stomach making him gasp for air.

"No, please!" Selene pleaded but the third man grabbed her.

"Quiet", the man whose name was apparently Boyd said still smiling. "Now, it seems that we have a little problem here. You see, I'm a nice guy as you know but unfortunately my boss isn't, so where's his money? You can speak now."

"I gave him everything we have, I'm going to get the rest but I need some time…"

"Wrong answer. Franklin…"

The other man grabbed Derek's hand and broke one of his fingers. Derek managed to muffle his scream.

"Don't be such a baby", Boyd said. "You have 206 bones in your body, that was just one. The question is do you want to keep the rest of them intact."

"Please stop it!" Selene yelled. Tears were falling down her cheeks.

Boyd ignored her.

"Don't get me wrong, I get your situation, I really do. What your old man did was despicable, even I wouldn't do something like that but someone has to pay. And unfortunately that someone is you two."

"You get your money", Derek said tensely.

"How about we take some advance", said the man who was holding on Selene. He grabbed her breast roughly. She flinched.

"Don't you touch her!" Derek shouted.

"Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it?"

Boyd rolled his eyes.

"That's enough Roker, stop being such a pig. But he's right though, I know few guys who would pay for her… company."

"No! You leave my sister out of this", Derek said.

"Fine, suit yourself; I was just trying to help you out. But anyway you have until the end of the week. Then… well, you are going to really get to know Franklin over there and your sweet sister will spend a lot of time on her back until the whole debt is paid. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes", Derek said.

Boyd smiled.

"Good. As fun as this have been I'm afraid we have to leave now. Gentlemen…"

Franklin tapped Derek's shoulder before he followed Boyd to the car. Roker was grinning.

"I'll see you soon sweetheart", he said to Selene.

Neither Derek nor Selene moved before the car had left. Selene went to her brother.

"How bad is it? Let me see."

Derek was just standing there emotionless when Selene examined his hand.

"Come on, let's go inside", Selene said quietly.

Neither of them spoke any more. Well, that was certainly interesting. Kol wasn't really sure what to do next. He wasn't even sure what he had planned to do in the first place. But then again, he never made any long term plans. It was much more fun to just go with it and see what would happen. Maybe this whole thing could offer him some entertainment. At least one thing was clear; people certainly haven't change during last century. There were still predators and preys. Kol really hated competition. He was the deadliest predator there was. Did those three really think that they could take his prey? He should definitely do something about that.